According to MEMRI, an Emirati analyst wrote an article arguing that the Gulf countries should not pay a penny for Gaza’s reconstruction so long as Hamas remains in power.
By Rachel Avraham
According to a recent report in MEMRI, “In an October 21, 2025 article titled “Should Arab Gulf States Foot The Bill For Gaza’s Reconstruction?,” published in the English-language Arab Weekly (a sister publication of the London-based Emirati daily Al-Arab), Emirati political analyst Salem Al-Ketbi wrote that financial involvement in Gaza is a very risky venture, given that aid provided in the past to Hamas-controlled Gaza, intended for building schools and hospitals and other civilian purposes, was largely seized by Hamas and channeled to military projects.”
MEMRI added, “Al-Ketbi notes that, according to European and UN reports, Hamas seized some 40 percent of the international aid it received and used it to dig tunnels, purchase weapons and manufacture rockets. Moreover, the small amounts spent on construction benefited mainly the movement’s leaders and elites, while ordinary Gazans were left in poverty. Noting that Hamas will likely remain in power in Gaza, Al-Ketbi wonders why the peoples of the Gulf should invest billions there and risk these funds being embezzled for terrorist activity that could target the Gulf states themselves.”
According to MEMRI, “Furthermore, he says, why should they risk being accused of supporting terrorism with their money, especially when Iran and other regional countries – hinting at Qatar – have not been held accountable for harboring Hamas’s leaders, supporting its terrorism and financing it with hundreds of millions annually? He concludes that, while emergency humanitarian aid to Gaza is a moral imperative, there can be “no billions for reconstruction and no massive Gulf investments as long as Hamas remains in control of the Strip.””
“The Arab Gulf states face a critical juncture in Gaza that goes beyond well-known humanitarian considerations,” Al Ketbi wrote. “There is growing regional and international clamour for the Gulf countries to bear the brunt of the reconstruction effort in the Gaza Strip, even though they were not directly involved in the conflict that destroyed the enclave’s infrastructure. Behind the slogans of humanitarian obligations lurk complex interests and political stakes that may not match the true intentions. Discussions of [the] aid in question [go] beyond emergency relief. They extend to massive investments in an environment still under Hamas control. The estimated cost of reconstruction exceeds $70 billion, and the effort could span three full decades.”
“Based on past precedents one cannot be very optimistic,” Al Ketbi continued. “UN reports in 2023 revealed that more than $7 billion have been transferred to Gaza since 2006, including $2 billion provided by the Gulf states. Funds were allocated to the building of schools and hospitals, but most of the money was diverted to illicit purposes. Hamas channeled most of the funds to its military projects, [and] the small share spent on construction benefited the movement’s cadres and leaders, while ordinary Palestinians were left to simmer in dire conditions. Gulf funds and aid allocated for civilian infrastructure were diverted to the building of a network of military tunnels exceeding 500 kilometers in length, at a cost of nearly $1 billion. According to European and UN reports, Hamas seized approximately 40 percent of international aid and used it to purchase weapons and manufacture rockets. The United Nations documented the embezzlement of $350 million in just two years. All this occurred while residents of the Gaza Strip suffered from hunger and a lack of basic services.”
According to Al Ketbi, “”Transparency International ranked Gaza under Hamas rule in 2022 among the most corrupt regions in the world, and, in 2018, alone, $180 million in aid were lost, according to the World Bank. If these results occurred with relatively limited amounts of money, what will happen when the sums are in the tens of billions?”
“The potential for embezzlement and re-channeling of funds for terrorist purposes is not a theoretical concern but a tangible reality,” Al Ketbi noted. “The fundamental question today is: who can guarantee that this scenario will not repeat itself? Hamas still holds power, the civil administration is in a state of collapse, and prospects for a political solution are nowhere in sight. Reconstruction through traditional channels without strict oversight guarantees is a costly venture. The massive reconstruction bill could turn into a long-term economic and political trap, the price of which generations of Gulf citizens will have to pay without any real redeeming value for ordinary Palestinians.”
“Will the Gulf states be compelled to foot a significant share of a $70 billion bill to remedy vast destruction for which they were not at all responsible.” Al Ketbi asked rhetorically. “Furthermore, should they assume the risk of Hamas embezzling these billions and using them for terrorist operations that could target the Gulf states themselves? Why should they accept the risk that the funds in questions [will] not reach ordinary Palestinians, without any strategic interest being served, and with the possibility [that] they [will] eventually be accused unjustly of financing terrorism?”
According to Al Ketbi, “The glaring paradox lies in the position of certain regional states whose direct role in financing the terrorism of Hamas is well-documented. As a clear example, Iran publicly boasts that it has pumped $700 million annually into Hamas’s coffers, according to statements by Tehran and the Palestinian militant group’s leaders. Meanwhile, other regional countries have provided [a] safe haven to Hamas’ leaders and supported them with hundreds of millions annually. These countries, which directly, publicly, and continuously fund Hamas, some of which harbour clear animosity towards Arab Gulf states, have not been held accountable for their role in supporting terrorism. So why should the Gulf states, which have been victims to Hamas’ embezzlement, be asked to foot a huge portion of the $70 billion bill?”
Al Ketbi concluded, “”What the Gulf states need to do is not to relinquish their regional role, but rather to act rationally and wisely. Emergency humanitarian aid to civilians through neutral international channels is a moral imperative, but massive investments that are susceptible to embezzlement are a risky venture that requires solid guarantees, including the end of Hamas’ complete control over the Gaza Strip, which at this stage looks doubtful. This, is in addition to the establishment of a transparent elected authority, effective international oversight mechanisms for every dollar, genuine security stability for at least ten years, and criminal accountability for those who embezzled previous aid. The wise position is clear and unequivocal: no money for Gaza, no billions for reconstruction, and no massive Gulf investments as long as Hamas remains in control of the Strip.”
