GAZA (PIC)– Hamas on Thursday denied Israeli allegations that the manager of World Vision’s Gaza office Mohammed al-Halabi passed millions of dollars to Hamas.
Hamas spokesperson Abdullatif al-Kanou’ said the group had “no connection to al-Halabi and therefore all Israeli accusations are counterfeit and aim to suppress our people and toughen the blockade”.
Israel’s Shin Bet agency accused al-Halabi of funneling millions of dollars in aid money to Hamas charges that the resistance group denied and the charity voiced skepticism over.
World Vision official Mohammed al-Halabi appeared before a court on Thursday facing charges of using millions of charity funds in aid to Hamas.
The Israeli intelligence agency Shin Bet claimed Hamas recruited al-Halabi more than a decade ago.
The agency said since al-Halabi took over World Vision operations in Gaza in 2010 roughly 60 per cent of World Vision’s annual budget in the territory was diverted to Hamas.
Mohammad al-Halabi World Vision’s manager of operations in Gaza was arrested by Israel on June 15 while crossing the border into the enclave.
World Vision said it was “shocked” by Israel’s allegations and said in a statement that it had regular internal and independent audits and evaluations as well as a broad range of internal controls to ensure aid reached intended beneficiaries.
World Vision added that al-Halabi has worked with the group for 10 years and that they have “no reason to believe” the allegations against their employee are true.
“World Vision is a Christian relief development and advocacy organization dedicated to working with children families and communities to overcome poverty and injustice” the statement further read.
“World Vision serves all people regardless of religion race ethnicity or gender. World Vision has been working in the occupied Palestinian territories for over 40 years striving to give hope to over 500000 of the most vulnerable children through education health child protection and resilience programs. We continue to call for a fair legal process” it added.
