Hustling in the Name of Jihad: Hamas' Billionaires are Following the Example of Prophet Muhammad 

Venturing into opulence, envision looking down at city lights from the 75th floor of a hotel lobby, surrounded by towering skyscrapers reaching toward the infinite heavens—an exclusive view reserved for VIPs and Forbes billionaires.

The billionaire lifestyle, often associated with figures like Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos, is marked by unabashed indulgence in luxury. Private jets, gourmet dining in Michelin-rated restaurants, and opulent accommodations define their privileged existence.

However, this opulent lifestyle no longer seems exclusive to business tycoons. They’ve built their businesses through legitimate hard work, the spirit of enterprise, and free-market capitalism.

Now, let’s shift our focus to the Holy Warriors of Islam—the leaders of Hamas—who shamelessly amass vast wealth by pillaging Muslims and non-Muslims worldwide in the highly profitable business of Holy Jihad.

Frequently in private jets, posh restaurants, golf, and luxury hotels, the billionaire Muslims of Hamas lead a lavish lifestyle.

The senior Hamas leadership has been living the good life of billionaires for decades, and they do not even reside in Gaza for convenience. They are safe with their families in other parts of the world. Hamas, a Palestinian political and military organization governing the Gaza Strip, portrays the area as poverty-stricken online. Contrary to this image, the top leadership of Hamas is far from poor; in fact, they share a net worth of $11 billion among the three top Hamas officials. It is no secret that they are extremely wealthy, and with such wealth comes an extravagant lifestyle, influencing where they live, what they eat, and how they travel. They all own homes in upscale neighborhoods in the Gaza Strip, and they lead a flashy lifestyle.”

Just recently. Israel’s Embassy to the US sent out a tweet exposing their wealth. Ismail Haniyeh who is now reportedly worth more than 4 billion USD, Khaled Mashaal is worth 3 to 4 billion USD, and Abu Musa Marzook is worth 3 billion USD.

IN HIS OWN WORDS: Hamas Leader Ismail Haniyeh, from the comfort of his home in Qatar: “We need the blood of women, children, and the elderly of #Gaza… so as to awaken our revolutionary spirit.”

Listen to this vile terrorist scum sacrifice his own people, while living in the… pic.twitter.com/GL7ZTfa5Dw

— Embassy of Israel to the USA | #IsraelUSA75 (@IsraelinUSA) October 27, 2023

Ismail Haniyeh

Ismail Haniyeh, the de facto prime minister of Gaza, is believed to be the wealthiest among all leaders despite once vowing to live only on “olive oil and Zatar spice.” Since 2019, Haniyeh has been leading a life of luxury, hiding in opulent hotels in Qatar and Turkey, and indulging in the finest accommodations and amenities. His frequent travels take him between Istanbul, Moscow, Doha, and Cairo, where he meets with leaders in friendly nations. His private jet allows him to jet set across the globe, all while the people of Gaza suffer the consequences of Hamas policies.

By 2010, Ismail Haniyeh managed to acquire a piece of land (2,500 square meters) in the upscale beachfront neighborhood of Rimal for $4 million, as reported by the Egyptian magazine Rose al-Yusuf. To conceal his actions from media scrutiny and voters, he employed the age-old trick of registering the purchase in the name of his son-in-law. Since then, it has been reported that he has acquired several other properties in Gaza, according to his children. Not surprisingly, the Islamic leader, who has 13 children from multiple wives, has been able to build a sizable property portfolio by registering properties in the name of his offspring. Ismail Haniyeh’s net capital is estimated to be roughly $4 billion.

Ismail Haniyeh was recently photographed shopping and taking selfies in the lavish markets of Doha, Qatar:

#Hamas billionaire leader Ismail Hanniyeh is dressed to impress, shopping and taking selfies in the lavish markets of Doha #Qatar

This is the guy telling Gazans "ready to sacrifice martyrs in #Gaza"#HamasisISISpic.twitter.com/AwxMPvem5t

— Zechariah Shar'abi | זכריה | زكريا (@ZechariahSharab) November 24, 2023

In various social media posts, Haniyeh’s sons, Maaz and Abdel Salam, can be seen enjoying the high life in Istanbul and Doha. Maaz, known as the father of real estate in the Gaza Strip, is a wealthy real estate mogul in his own right. Despite his Islamic faith, he is often seen partying hard in the company of attractive women and alcohol when he is in Turkey. The lavish lifestyle of Haniyeh’s sons starkly contrasts with the struggles of the average Gazan.

Musa Abu Marzook

Abu Musa Marzook considered the second in command within Hamas, is another highflyer within the group. After spending 14 years in the US, where he was arrested for activities supporting terrorism, he moved to Jordan, then to Syria, and finally settled in Cairo in 2012. Despite his arrest and deportation from the US. Marzook managed to hold on to his wealth, reported to be around $2 billion, while the Israeli Embassy to the US suggests it is as high as $3 billion. With his immense wealth, Marzook has access to the finest luxuries and comforts. It is reported that back in the early 1990s, Marzook launched a fundraising campaign in the US among wealthy Muslims and, at the same time, founded several banking operations. Marzook has reportedly turned himself into a conglomerate of 10 financial enterprises, giving loans and making investments, thus increasing his fortune.

Khaled Mashal

Another leader living large is the former head of Hamas’s political bureau, Khaled Mashal. Mashal, the leader of the so-called “Political Wing” of Hamas, resides in luxury in Doha, Qatar. In 2012, a Jordanian website reported that he controlled more than $2.6 billion of Hamas funds. His wealth empire consists of banks in Egypt and real estate projects in the Arabian Gulf countries. Mashal settled in Qatar after fleeing Syria to escape the Arab Spring. When he left Syria, he is said to have taken $1.5 billion from Hamas’s headquarters in Damascus. With his immense wealth, Mashal has access to the finest accommodations, dining experiences, and entertainment that money can buy. He handles real estate and financial transactions for Hamas. Khaled Mashaal also embezzled all the funds received from Zakat (Islamic religious donations) and built a prosperous business under the guise of Islam, thus accumulating an estimated net worth of $2.6 billion or more.

During the 2014 war, Israel correctly accused Mashal of corruption. In an interview, Israel’s Prime Minister Netanyahu said, “This guy Khaled Mashal, he’s roaming around five-star hotel suites in the Gulf States. He’s having the time of his life while he’s deliberately putting his people as fodder for this horrible terrorist war that they are conducting against us.” Mashal has vehemently denied the corruption accusations.

Yahya Sinwar

Yahya Sinwar, born in 1962 in the Khan Yunis refugee camp during Egypt’s rule of the Gaza Strip, is an essential high-ranking member of the terror outfit. He has been a member of its Politburo since 2017 and is considered one of the leading figures connecting Hamas’s Politburo with its armed wing, the Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades (IQB). According to the BBC, he has also amassed a considerable fortune, estimated at $1 to 3 million. Sinwar is regularly seen with Ismail Haniyeh and Khaled Mashal in various meetings, speeches, and video clips.

Mohammed Deif:

Mohammed Deif, born Mohammed Diab Ibrahim al-Masri, is the leader of the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas. He has been on Israel’s “most wanted” list for over 20 years. Deif has been the target of Israeli airstrikes on numerous occasions and has escaped each time, earning him the nickname “The cat with nine lives.” According to sources such as Forbes and Business Insider, Mohammed Deif’s net worth is $5 million as of June 2023, mainly from various illegal activities such as overseeing smuggling operations in the region. Deif, who has been a very elusive figure for years, is considered to be the planner of the most recent horrific terrorist attack that took place on October 7, 2023.

The billionaires of Hamas have, for years now, subjected the people of Gaza to an oppressive tax and customs regime, extracting tens of millions of dollars from their subjects annually. Hamas imposes a customs duty of up to 50% on cigarettes, generating more than $10 million per month. On average, importers are charged about $15 for every electronic device, $30 for every ton of fruits and vegetables, and up to $90 for importing toys. Every truck on Salah Al Din Street, the Strip’s major highway and transportation artery, is taxed about $30. Hamas also taxes real estate transactions, charging a 17% tax for each one. Hamas controls hundreds of businesses in numerous areas, including real estate, insurance, banking, and the hospitality industry, with cafes, restaurants, and hotels taxed $1,000 annually.

The corrupt and money-hungry Hamas leaders have also exploited the intricate system and network of tunnels in the region. Hamas uses these smuggling tunnels below the Philadelphia route, a narrow land corridor that separates Egypt from the Gaza Strip, to amass wealth through heavy taxes. Moving a single suitcase in these tunnels can cost as much as $90 while transporting furniture imported from Israel requires a payment of over $200. The tunnels are highly sophisticated, complete with telephone lines. In addition to facilitating terrorist activity, the tunnels between Egypt and Gaza have, for years, enabled illicit commerce. Criminals leverage the subterranean route to transport weapons, drugs, narcotics, and everyday goods into the Gaza Strip.

Another profitable scam employed by the Hamas leaders for generating cash is to resell the highly subsidized fuel received from Egypt for eight times the actual price, raking in massive profits, even as Egypt often reported shortages for its own people. This has been a very lucrative method for individuals like Haniyeh, Marzook, and Mashaal to keep their pockets full.

Hamas has also recently considered using cryptocurrencies, falsified trade transactions, and credit cards to evade detection. The practice of terrorist financing involving cryptocurrencies has specifically attracted attention, and it may be considered that, at least among terrorist financiers, Hamas belongs to the most prominent group. Hamas has found utility in the benefits of anonymity and traceability in cryptocurrencies, enabling it to accept payments for support from global donors, bypassing the standard financial system. However, the Ledger system of cryptocurrency makes transactions traceable; thus, authorities have a point of reference in their efforts to crack down on fundraising activities. Disturbingly, blockchain researchers TRM Labs revealed that crypto fundraising by Hamas has increased following rounds of violence involving the group after the fighting in May 2021. Hamas-controlled crypto addresses received more than $400,000 from various donors around the world.

All these self-proclaimed Holy Warriors of Islam have thus fleeced their own subjects and built their massive wealth over decades through dishonest and conniving means such as land grabs, tunnel deals, embezzlement of funds, drugs, and smuggling markets in the Gaza Strip.

Haniyeh, Marzook, Mashaal, Sinwar, and Deif are, by no means, the only ones making a large profit from Jihad. Professor Ahmed Karima of Al-Azhar University in Egypt claims that Hamas has some 1,700 millionaires among its members. At the same time, the Asharq Al-Awsat (Middle East) newspaper, one of the most prestigious in the Arab world, had reported that at least 600 millionaires were living in the Gaza Strip.

In a stark irony, Hamas ‘officials indulge in lives of opulence, complete with private jets, upscale dining, and five-star accommodations, all while the citizens of Gaza endure a reality of poverty and deprivation. These self-proclaimed leaders, adopting lavish “Western lifestyles,” appear indifferent to the plight of their impoverished Muslim constituents.

Many of these Hamas leaders possess multiple properties in Western countries, acquired under the names of their children. While purportedly leading the Jihad, these self-proclaimed Holy Warriors of Islam have ensured that their offspring and family members lead comfortable lives in the West.

The irony lies in their desire to destroy the very West they all clearly prefer to live in.

Islamic terrorism is an expensive business that requires a constant cash flow, and acquiring weapons does not come without a cost. Therefore, Hamas seizes aid provided by naive liberal and well-intentioned Western governments, diverts it to the luxurious and glamorous high-end residences of its leaders, and utilizes the funds to perpetuate a reign of terror.

When Khaled Mashal recently declared Friday (‘The Friday of the Al-Aqsa Flood’) as the Day of Jihad (October 13, 2023) and urged the global Muslim Ummah to demonstrate solidarity for Palestine and Al-Aqsa, he also solicited monetary donations to assist Gaza. Money that is sure to be spent funding their leader’s expensive lifestyles and supporting their corrupt criminal enterprise in a number of illegal activities. This behavior is modeled after their Prophet Muhammad, who used “holy war” and jihad raids to acquire his wealth.

The Profit of the Prophet

The life of Prophet Muhammad, the founder of Islam, is marked by various controversial dimensions, including his role as a military leader. While the Prophet’s military campaigns were motivated by various factors, these endeavors had massive economic implications, contributing to the financial sustenance and prosperity of the Prophet, his capos, and his followers. This would be by war booty and plunder.

War Booty and Plunder

One significant way in which Prophet Muhammad acquired wealth during warfare was through war booty or spoils of war. The Quran addresses the distribution of these spoils in Surah Al-Anfal (8:1), stating that the spoils are for Allah and the Messenger. This declaration laid the foundation for the allocation of resources obtained through military conquests.

Historical Accounts of Military Campaigns

Numerous historical accounts detail the military campaigns led by Prophet Muhammad, such as the Battle of Badr, the Battle of Uhud, and the Conquest of Khaybar. In these encounters, the Muslims seized resources, including livestock, gold, silver, and other valuables. The distribution of these spoils, as outlined in Islamic sources, played a pivotal role in the economic growth of the Muslim community.

The Fifth Share Principle

In addition to the spoils of war, Prophet Muhammad implemented the principle of khums, where one-fifth (20%) of the acquired spoils were designated for him. This allocation ensured a steady stream of resources directly benefiting the Prophet. The implementation of this principle was explicitly outlined in the Quran (8:41), emphasizing the financial role of warfare in sustaining the Prophet.

Reallocation of Wealth

Prophet Muhammad’s authority extended to the redistribution of captured wealth. Islamic sources narrate instances where he distributed the spoils among his followers, providing economic support to the early Muslim community. This reallocation of resources contributed to the financial stability and cohesion of the growing Muslim society.

Economic Impact of Conquests

The military conquests led by Prophet Muhammad resulted in the acquisition of vast territories, leading to increased wealth and resources for the Muslim community. Conquered lands provided new economic opportunities, including taxation systems that further contributed to the economic prosperity of the Muslim state.

The Role of Fadak, Khaybar, and Banu an-Nadir

Prophet Muhammad also acquired significant assets through the conquests of Fadak, Khaybar, and Banu an-Nadir. The lands and properties acquired during these campaigns became valuable assets, contributing to the financial foundation of the Islamic State.

While the military campaigns led by Prophet Muhammad were driven by various motives, including the spread of Islam, the economic impact of these endeavors cannot be overlooked. The acquisition of war booty, the implementation of the fifth share principle, and the redistribution of resources played a crucial role in sustaining the early Muslim community and ensuring its economic growth.

In essence, Muhammad sustained his community and prospered by turning his believers into a band of thugs who raided the caravans and attacked settlements of unbelievers, and then divided the plunder – first throughout Arabia and later conquering the neighboring countries.

In conclusion, the extravagant lifestyles of Hamas leaders, mirroring the opulence of certain billionaires, are sustained through a variety of means, including oppressive taxation, illicit commerce, and exploiting international aid. The irony lies in the stark contrast between their luxurious existence and the impoverished conditions endured by the people of Gaza.

Drawing parallels to Prophet Muhammad’s historical use of war booty and spoils of war, Hamas leaders justify their wealth accumulation through similar means. While Muhammad’s actions were intricately tied to the economic prosperity of building his early Muslim community (army), Hamas leaders, who already have a loyal following, keep them impoverished while prioritizing personal gain over the welfare of their constituents.

Sources:

1. https://en.globes.co.il/en/article-the-phenomenal-wealth-of-hamas-leaders-1000957953
2. https://www.algemeiner.com/2014/07/28/gazas-millionaires-and-billionaires-how-hamass-leaders-got-rich-quick/
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