Today: 24 June 2025
22 November 2023
2 mins read

EU probe shows no money is reaching Hamas

EU nations have long been split in their approach to Israel and the Palestinians but the war in Gaza has entrenched those divisions. Some countries unilaterally suspended aid over the brutal nature of the Hamas attack on Oct. 7…reports Asian Lite News

The EU will continue to provide substantial amounts of financial aid to the Palestinians after an investigation found that no money has been diverted to the militant group Hamas, the EU’s executive branch said on Tuesday.

The review of the use of hundreds of millions of euros’ worth of development assistance meant to help the Palestinians fight poverty was announced on Oct. 9, two days after Hamas rampaged into southern Israel.

EU nations have long been split in their approach to Israel and the Palestinians but the war in Gaza has entrenched those divisions. Some countries unilaterally suspended aid over the brutal nature of the Hamas attack on Oct. 7.

The joint EU funds provided an opportunity for political grandstanding, even though the money was never destined for Hamas, and pressure quickly built for a probe. Hamas was put on the EU’s list of terrorist groups almost two decades ago and funds must not reach it.

“The review found no indications of EU money having directly, or indirectly, benefited the terrorist organization Hamas,” European Commission Executive Vice President Valdis Dombrovskis told reporters in Strasbourg, France, and he hailed that “the control system in place has worked.”

The investigation, which did not look into emergency humanitarian aid, also aimed to establish whether money was used to incite hatred or antisemitism. The 27-nation EU is the world’s biggest provider of assistance to the Palestinians. Almost 1.2 billion euros is earmarked for 2021-2024.

The commission said it had screened over 100 projects worth a total of around 331 million euros. It said that 88 percent of contracts benefiting the Palestinians have been cleared, but it is seeking details from some NGOs and their partners about how the remaining 12 percent is being handled.

The probe came after an EU commissioner, Oliver Varhelyi from Hungary, announced after the Hamas onslaught that all development funds would be “immediately suspended. All projects put under review. All new budget proposals … postponed until further notice.”

ALSO READ-EU Envoy Lauds Momentum of Ties With India

Previous Story

Israeli Cabinet Approves 4-Day Ceasefire for Hostage Release

Next Story

Israel Targets LeT with Terror Designation

Latest from -Top News

No Ceasefire Deal, Says Tehran

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi says no “agreement” on ceasefire between Israel and Iran…reports Asian Lite News Uncertainty and scepticism mounted on Monday after a surprise ceasefire announcement by the United States,

Qatar: Retaliation on the Table

Majed Al Ansari added that the State of Qatar strongly condemns the attack that targeted Al-Udeid Air Base by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard….reports Asian Lite News Qatar on Monday announced that it

Trump Claims Iran-Israel Truce

The announcement followed a symbolic show of Iran, which shot missiles at a US base in Qatar after having given the US notice of the strike, according to Trump….reports Asian Lite News

Oman Breaks Gulf Taboo on Income Tax

There is no other country in the 6-member Gulf Cooperation Council that imposes income tax….reports Asian Lite News Oman has officially become the first Gulf country to introduce a personal income tax,

Fresh Israeli Raids Hit Iran

The strikes came shortly after Iran fired a missile at Israel before dawn and triggered air raid sirens across much of the country….reports Asian Lite News Israel conducted a new wave of
Go toTop

Don't Miss

Ukraine gets signal of EU membership talks next month

The final decision on the talks will be made by

EC takes legal action against Germany

This judgement risked jeopardizing the European Union’s legal order, the