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(FPM) Hamas’ own “income” from running Gaza doesn’t even cover their own terrorist operations.
Hamas will spend $897 million in Gaza in 2013 under a budget approved Monday. The Gaza parliament, dominated by Hamas, voted for the spending.
Gaza leaders estimate the income for the year at $243 million. The rest of the money is expected to come from international aid and donations.
Despite claims of a financial crisis, the Hamas budget has continued to grow from year to year. A large percent of this year’s budget – $244 million – will go to the Interior Ministry, which funds “security forces” such as the al-Kassam Battalions, recognized internationally as a terrorist group.
You’re probably wondering how much of that money comes from us. It’s hard to know. UNRWA money, which we contribute to, isn’t counted under this budget, so we’re only looking at the tip of the iceberg.
Now the Gaza Strip officially has about 1.6 million people, the actual number is probably a good deal lower, but even with the official figures, Hamas has a higher rate of per capita spending than South Korea, Poland or Argentina, and many times higher than regional countries such as Turkey, Lebanon, Syria and Jordan. But it’s doubtful that Hamas’ big budget is being spent on the people, it’s being spent on the continuing militarization of the Gaza Strip.
