Israel releases evidence of ‘direct connection’ between Hamas and Iran discovered in Gaza tunnels

In his daily press briefing on Tuesday evening, IDF Spokesman Brig.-Gen. Daniel Hagari produced evidence that reportedly exposes the direct connection between the Iranian regime and Hamas leadership, especially Yahya Sinwar. 

Hagari said that IDF soldiers operating in the terror tunnel system under Khan Younis uncovered intelligence showing Iran's direct connection to Hamas, including financial payments to Hamas as an organization and payments directly to Sinwar. 

IDF special units, along with Israel's Shin Bet security agency, located strategic Hamas compounds underground that contained valuable intelligence material. 

“We have located compounds where Hamas leaders hid and from where they managed the fighting, some of which held hostages, and others contained intelligence material,” Hagari said. 

“This evening, we are publishing some of the intelligence information found there by our forces – indicating a direct ‘connection’ from Iran to Hamas and more so – to Yahya Sinwar.” 

Records of financial transactions between the years 2014 to 2020 revealed direct payments totaling more than $150 million from the Iranian to Hamas.

Sealed packets of cash, some with a cover sheet stating: “Intended for Yahya Sinwar,” were also discovered.

Along with the smaller sealed packets, the IDF found large bags of cash totaling millions of American dollars and tens of millions of Israeli shekels, were found in one of the underground compounds. 

“This is another example of how Iran exports terror across the Middle East,” Hagari stated. 

“This is a recurring phenomenon,” the IDF spokesman continued. “Large sums of cash are kept in organized compounds underground for the personal use of senior Hamas officials. Hamas leaders invested the money in their own survival and that of their families underground.” 

Hagari also said the intelligence gathered during the raids has already affected operations within the Gaza Strip.

“We are launching further and new operations and destroying new Hamas terror infrastructure.” 

Hagari specifically mentioned renewed operations in the Shati area of Gaza City, which he said will be revealed soon. 

“The forces are reaching additional sensitive Hamas infrastructure underground, eliminating terrorists remaining in the area and thwarting Hamas' attempts to rebuild its capabilities. Also, in these places, we are finding important intelligence this evening, which we will reveal later.” 

On Wednesday morning, the IDF claimed to have killed dozens of Hamas terrorists during the fighting over the last few hours. It is not known if these operations are related to the most recent intelligence.