Following the recent terrorist attacks on Israel, several organizations whose leadership have been tied to and advocated for Hamas are soliciting donations online in support of Gaza, according to a review by Kharon.
Gaza Now, a Palestinian online news outlet that has celebrated Hamas and the kidnapping of Israeli soldiers and civilians, immediately launched several fundraising campaigns on social media following the attacks.
Gaza Now, a Palestinian online news outlet that has celebrated Hamas and the kidnapping of Israeli soldiers and civilians, immediately launched several fundraising campaigns on social media following the attacks.
The outlet solicited donations in Euros and U.S. dollars through accounts at financial institutions in the EU and the United States. Gaza Now has also asked for donations through cryptocurrency accounts.
Social media post by Gaza Now with donation instructions via cryptocurrencies and bank accounts, posted October 7, 2023. Source: Meta.
The fundraisings come after Israel suffered an unprecedented attack on October 7 led by Hamas, a terrorist organization sanctioned by the U.S. and European governments.
Hamas launched several coordinated deadly attacks against Israel over the weekend, killing more than 900 people and injuring over 2,000 others, including civilians.
The leaders of France, Germany, Italy, U.K., and the U.S. condemned the attack, calling it “appalling.”
"We make clear that the terrorist actions of Hamas have no justification, no legitimacy, and must be universally condemned. There is never any justification for terrorism,” the leaders said in a joint statement.
In addition to soliciting donations online, Gaza Now and its founder Mustafa Ayyash have expressed their support of Hamas and its militant leaders on social media.
Ayyash, who’s based in Austria, has praised Hamas on X (formerly known as Twitter) for defending Palestinians and tweeted “#Hamas_is_not_a_terrorist.” In 2017, he was arrested by the Austrian authorities for his affiliation with Hamas, which he later denied.
On October 9, Gaza Now publicized on Telegram a speech by the military spokesperson for Hamas's Al-Qassam Brigades with the hashtag "#Al-Aqsa_Flood” – referring to the name of the recent Hamas operation – and with the caption “the last warning to the Israeli occupation.”
“Gaza is calling on you to rescue it, with aid and money and all you have to offer. This is a true moment of need,” Meshal said in the speech.
“This is financial jihad, just as others are offering themselves up for jihad. Offer support to Gaza, to its resistance, and to its heroes. Reward them for the destruction…Do not let your brothers down,” he added.
Gaza Now solicits donations for its campaigns through charities based in the United States and the United Kingdom.
Kharon found that Gaza Now is using Ko-Fi, a U.K.-based fundraising platform, to co-organize and solicit donations for a recent campaign with a U.S.-based NGO. The two groups also used the platform to warn donors that their PayPal accounts had been frozen and encouraged them to donate through cryptocurrency and NFTs.
Gaza Now also posted on Telegram an additional fundraising campaign in partnership with the U.K.-based Al-Qureshi Executives. According to the post, donations were to be directed to a U.K.-based bank account.
Hamas launched several coordinated deadly attacks against Israel over the weekend, killing more than 900 people and injuring over 2,000 others, including civilians.
The leaders of France, Germany, Italy, U.K., and the U.S. condemned the attack, calling it “appalling.”
"We make clear that the terrorist actions of Hamas have no justification, no legitimacy, and must be universally condemned. There is never any justification for terrorism,” the leaders said in a joint statement.
In addition to soliciting donations online, Gaza Now and its founder Mustafa Ayyash have expressed their support of Hamas and its militant leaders on social media.
Ayyash, who’s based in Austria, has praised Hamas on X (formerly known as Twitter) for defending Palestinians and tweeted “#Hamas_is_not_a_terrorist.” In 2017, he was arrested by the Austrian authorities for his affiliation with Hamas, which he later denied.
On October 9, Gaza Now publicized on Telegram a speech by the military spokesperson for Hamas's Al-Qassam Brigades with the hashtag "#Al-Aqsa_Flood” – referring to the name of the recent Hamas operation – and with the caption “the last warning to the Israeli occupation.”
A Call for Support
Khalid Mashal, a senior leader and founding member of Hamas, praised the attacks in a speech on Tuesday and called for political and financial support, which he described as “financial jihad.”“Gaza is calling on you to rescue it, with aid and money and all you have to offer. This is a true moment of need,” Meshal said in the speech.
“This is financial jihad, just as others are offering themselves up for jihad. Offer support to Gaza, to its resistance, and to its heroes. Reward them for the destruction…Do not let your brothers down,” he added.
Gaza Now solicits donations for its campaigns through charities based in the United States and the United Kingdom.
Kharon found that Gaza Now is using Ko-Fi, a U.K.-based fundraising platform, to co-organize and solicit donations for a recent campaign with a U.S.-based NGO. The two groups also used the platform to warn donors that their PayPal accounts had been frozen and encouraged them to donate through cryptocurrency and NFTs.
Gaza Now also posted on Telegram an additional fundraising campaign in partnership with the U.K.-based Al-Qureshi Executives. According to the post, donations were to be directed to a U.K.-based bank account.
Telegram solicitation for donations through Gaza Now and Al-Qureshi Executives, listing a bank account at a U.K.-based bank.
Other Ongoing Fundraising Campaigns
Gaza Now is one of several Hamas-affiliated organizations actively soliciting donations online in support of Gaza following the attacks on Israel.The Al Khair Foundation, a U.K.-based charity with a branch in Turkey, is also soliciting donations for Gaza.
The donations are accepted through the organization’s website with options to pay using Paypal, Microsoft Pay or cryptocurrencies.
Adham Ibrahim Abu Salmiah, who is involved in a number of Hamas-affiliated advocacy groups, is a manager at the Middle East regional branch of Al Khair Foundation. He also previously served in the Gaza Ministry of Health as a member of the Hamas government, according to his LinkedIn profile.
Campaign banner for the Al Khair Foundation’s campaign for Gaza, and a social media post by Adham Abu Salmiah endorsing it. Source: X.com.
Kudus Vakfi, a registered Turkey-based NGO led by current and former leaders of the U.S. sanctioned Al Aqsa Foundation in Europe, is another group engaged in recent fundraising campaigns for Gaza.
Using social media, Kudus Vakfi has been raising funds through Paypal and an account with a Netherlands-based bank. In 2003, the U.S. designated Al Aqsa Foundation for its links to Hamas.
Using social media, Kudus Vakfi has been raising funds through Paypal and an account with a Netherlands-based bank. In 2003, the U.S. designated Al Aqsa Foundation for its links to Hamas.
Social media solicitation for the “Help Gaza” campaign by Kudus Vakfi, accepting donations through Paypal and an account at an EU bank.
Kharon users can explore Kharon’s data coverage of Hamas's support and fundraising networks, as well as organizations promoting Hamas. Click here to view.
