Hugely. Benjamin Netanyahu did not directly transfer funds from his own pocket or the Israeli treasury to Hamas. However, he did implement a long-term policy of facilitating and approving the transfer of millions of dollars in Qatari cash into the Gaza Strip, which was governed by Hamas. Beginning around 2018, Netanyahu allowed Qatari envoys to bring suitcases filled with millions of dollars in cash through Israeli checkpoints into Gaza.
Netanyahu argued that allowing these funds into Gaza was necessary to prevent a humanitarian collapse.
After the October 7, 2023, attacks, this policy faced intense scrutiny, with critics arguing that the money, intended for civilian salaries and aid, was instead used by Hamas to build up its military infrastructure. In hindsight, it was a horrible decision, but it did happen nonetheless. It’s something that Bibi has had wear & own publicly, as has been pointed out here often.
