Bennett: ‘No More Suitcases of Cash’ to Hamas — Reveals $30M Monthly Transfers
Reflecto News | Breaking News | Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
TEL AVIV — Former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett has revealed that during his time in office, he discovered that massive amounts of cash—approximately $30 million per month in physical suitcases—were being transferred from Qatar into the Gaza Strip, funds he says were ultimately destined for Hamas .
In a sweeping interview marking the launch of his new book, Bennett described a system in which Qatari cash was permitted to enter Gaza through Israeli-controlled crossings, ostensibly for humanitarian purposes like paying salaries and purchasing fuel, but was instead used by the Islamist group to build its military infrastructure .
“Every month they brought in $30 million in cash in suitcases. This is almost unbelievable. I said no more suitcases of cash going to Hamas.”
— Naftali Bennett, Former Prime Minister of Israel
Bennett’s revelation sheds new light on the inner workings of the Israeli security establishment’s policy toward Gaza before the October 7, 2023, attack. He claims the “cash for calm” arrangement — which involved regular transfers of Qatari money to Hamas — was a well-known policy of the Netanyahu government, carried out with the full knowledge of Israeli military and intelligence officials .
💰 Policy of ‘Quiet for Cash’
The transfer of suitcases of cash from Qatar to Gaza was first exposed in 2018 by Israeli media. The money was meant to fund infrastructure projects, pay salaries to civil servants, and purchase fuel for Gaza’s power plant, according to the official explanation — and was intended to keep Hamas from launching rockets at Israeli cities .
However, Bennett now asserts that the sums involved were far larger than previously acknowledged and that the cash was not effectively monitored after crossing the border . He claims that the system permitted Hamas to divert funds to build tunnels, manufacture rockets, and construct a command-and-control network that would eventually enable the October 7 massacre .
“When you give money to a terrorist organization—whether directly or indirectly—you must assume part of that money is going to be used for terrorism.”
— Naftali Bennett
🤐 ‘Who Approved This?’
Bennett said he called Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu immediately upon discovering the arrangement, asking: “Who approved this? Who gave the order?”
According to Bennett, Netanyahu told him that the policy had been in place for years, supported by the security establishment, and that stopping it would damage the stability of the region . However, Bennett rejected that argument, ordering the transfers to be halted immediately — setting off a political firestorm that led to a crisis in Israeli-Qatari relations . The cash flow reportedly stopped for several months before being quietly resumed, according to other reports .
⏳ The Book: “The Bennett Doctrine”
The revelations are part of a full-length memoir and policy manifesto released this week, titled “The Bennett Doctrine.” It is the former prime minister’s most detailed account of his 17 months in office (June 2021 – July 2022).
The book also accuses the Netanyahu government of a broader “failure of strategic imagination” in the years leading up to October 7, 2023, including a fixation on economic incentives and a refusal to countenance a ground invasion of Gaza to dismantle Hamas’s military capabilities .
📚 Political Fallout and Election Implications
The publication of Bennett’s memoir comes as the Knesset elections approach, scheduled for October 27, 2026 . Bennett has formed a new political alliance with opposition leader Yair Lapid called “Together” (Yachad) and is running on a platform of national unity, security competence, and clean governance .
The allegation that cash transfers to Hamas continued on Netanyahu’s watch is a direct attack on the prime minster’s “Mr. Security” image. Bennett hopes to peel away right-wing voters who feel the current government failed to prevent the October 7 attack .
Netanyahu’s office quickly dismissed Bennett’s claims as “non-credible” and “politically motivated,” stating that the Prime Minister’s security decisions are made in real-time to protect Israel, not with the benefit of hindsight .
📋 Key Takeaways for Reflecto News Readers
| Aspect | Summary |
|---|---|
| Bennett’s Claim | $30 million per month in cash suitcases was sent from Qatar to Gaza |
| Recipient | Funds were intended for Hamas, Bennett says |
| Means of Transfer | Physical suitcases of cash through Israeli-controlled crossings |
| Purpose | Officials claimed the money was for “humanitarian” use (salaries, fuel, infrastructure) |
| Outcome According to Bennett | Hamas used some of the cash to build military infrastructure |
| Bennett’s Action | Halted the transfers when he discovered the policy |
| Timing | The disclosure comes as Bennett runs for Knesset in October 2026 elections |
| Bennett’s Message | The policy reflected a “failure of strategic imagination” before October 7, 2023 |
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