JERUSALEM (Diya TV) — Internal documents attributed to Hamas indicate that the group maintained structured oversight of international humanitarian organizations operating in the Gaza Strip, including organizations that have received funding from the Government of Canada.
The documents, reportedly recovered by the Israel Defense Forces from Gaza’s Interior Security Mechanism, are dated between 2018 and 2022. According to analysis cited in the report, the materials outline internal coordination procedures between Hamas authorities and foreign nongovernmental organizations working in the territory.
The documents describe the use of local representatives referred to as “guarantors” who were reportedly vetted and approved by Hamas. These individuals allegedly served as intermediaries between humanitarian organizations and Hamas security bodies. Their roles included facilitating operational coordination, monitoring activities, and relaying information about staffing and project implementation.
Organizations named in the materials include Action Against Hunger, Catholic Relief Services, Handicap International, Islamic Relief Worldwide, Médecins Sans Frontières, Norwegian Refugee Council, Save the Children, and World Vision. Several of these groups have received Canadian government funding for humanitarian programming in Gaza and other regions.
According to the reporting, the documents suggest that Hamas authorities reviewed project locations, imposed movement coordination requirements, and maintained communication channels regarding aid operations. In at least one referenced case, concerns were raised internally about activities conducted in areas considered sensitive by Hamas officials, leading to operational restrictions.
The organizations named have not been charged with wrongdoing in connection with the documents. Humanitarian groups operating in Gaza routinely coordinate with local governing authorities to secure access, ensure staff safety, and comply with local regulations. Such coordination is common practice in conflict environments where armed groups exercise territorial control.
Independent verification of the full scope and interpretation of the documents has not been publicly released. Analysts note that the situation highlights the structural challenges faced by donor governments when funding humanitarian operations in territories controlled by armed political movements.
