Israeli officials are facing backlash after years of Prime Minister Benjamin “Bibi” Netanyahu quietly allowing Hamas to remain in power.

But reporting in the New York Times has revealed that Netanyahu’s government was more hands-on about helping Hamas: they helped a Qatari diplomat bring suitcases of cash into Gaza, indirectly boosting the militant organization, according to the report.

The calculus — the Times reported on Sunday, citing Israeli officials, Netanyahu’s critics, and the man’s own reported statements — was to keep Hamas strong enough to counteract the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank, allowing Netanyahu to avoid a two-state peace solution and keep both sides weak.

Israeli security officials got it wrong; they didn’t think Hamas was capable, or even interested, in launching a large attack against the Jewish state.

  • hairinmybellybutt@lemmy.world
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    11 months ago

    who cares, that’s too late now

    now Hamas will get deleted off the solar system

    Netanyahu might be replaced and even if a progressive PM is in power, it’s not like Israel will let terrorists occupy gaza again, it’s going to take years before gaza becomes safe again, it’s going to be occupied by Israel first, and maybe the UN later.

    there’s just no way Israel will be fine with terrorists after october 7.

    • IHadTwoCows@lemm.ee
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      11 months ago

      Wow that sounds like something the US would say and then get plunged into a 20 year war for no reason.