Hamas has officially distanced itself from a group of pro-Palestinian charities controlled by the Muslim Brotherhood over the sudden disappearance of nearly $500 million in donations collected to help Gaza’s people in Muslim communities from Istanbul to Amman. The Media Line reported this on Sunday, November 30.
The scandal erupted after a young Palestinian activist posted on social media an allegation that a major charity headquartered in Istanbul had misappropriated donations intended for Gaza.
This message attracted enormous attention; in the comments, supporters of the Muslim Brotherhood began to defend the charitable organization; other users joined the dispute, publishing screenshots of websites and instant messengers, and fragments of emails proving facts of abuse.
Back in January 2024, Hamas distanced itself from three organizations – Waqf Al Umma, Minbar al-Aqsa and Kulna Maryam – accusing them of being out of control, captured by vested interests using opaque forms of fundraising.
The reputation of these organizations associated with the Muslim Brotherhood was at the center of the scandal: they constantly carried out campaigns to collect donations “for the liberation of Al-Quds Force” and urgent assistance to Gaza, collected hundreds of millions of dollars, but did not give any reports and did not transfer the money to the “addressees.”
Hamas’ decision to publicly withdraw support for controversial organizations highlights not only a financial conflict, but also a political one: Hamas and the Muslim Brotherhood in Turkey and Jordan vie for influence, donor loyalty and political legitimacy. The Gaza war has intensified this rivalry.