Israeli Defense Minister Reveals Iran’s $500 Million Funding Request from Hamas

Defense Minister Israel Katz revealed today (Sunday) correspondence between senior Hamas figures and Iran, showing direct and substantial support from Tehran for Hamas’s goal of destroying the State of Israel.

Sinwar and Deif Requested $500 Million from Quds Force Commander

During a visit to the Directorate of Defense Research & Development (DDR&D), Katz was shown a transcript of conversations discovered in Hamas tunnels in Gaza. The document describes how Hamas leaders Yahya Sinwar and Mohammed Deif asked the commander of Iran’s Quds Force for $500 million to support their campaign against Israel.

“I am presenting today clear proof of Iran’s support for Hamas’s plan to destroy Israel and for the massacre of October 7,” Katz said. “Deif and Sinwar demanded $500 million—and they got the money.”
He noted that the material includes communications and archives physically collected from Hamas tunnels and contains critical intelligence.

“The Conclusion is Clear: Iran is the Head of the Snake”

Katz added that the documents include a response from Izadi, head of the Palestinian branch of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, who confirmed that despite Iran’s difficult economic situation, the regime agreed to transfer the funds, stressing that the fight against Israel and the United States is a top priority.

“As far as Iran is concerned,” Katz said, “the conclusion is clear: Iran is the head of the snake—funding and advancing terror across all fronts: from Gaza to Lebanon, Syria, Judea and Samaria, and through the Houthis in Yemen.” He emphasized that Israel will do everything necessary to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons and will continue targeting its proxies throughout the region until the Iranian axis of evil is dismantled.

Katz’s visit to the DDR&D unit was described as another step in Israel’s ongoing efforts to counter Iran’s influence in Syria and its broader role in the Middle East security arena.