Hamas denies receiving funds from UNDP

Hamas yesterday denied it received funds from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), warning of Israel’s plan to distort facts in order to undermine the work of international aid bodies in Gaza.

In a press release, Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri said: “The Israeli claims regarding the international aid organisations are in line with the Israeli scheme to tighten the siege on the Gaza Strip by undermining the flow of funds to these organisations.”

Abu Zuhri called on the international community to bear its responsibility over such “practices which could have dangerous consequences.”

Hamas’ comments came after Israel’s security services, Shin Bet, announcement that it arrested Waheed Abdullah Al-Borsh, 38, on 16 July accusing him of using his position at the UNDP to provide assistance to the group.

Al-Borsh has been working with the UNDP since 2003, Shin Bet claims he is being directed by a senior Hamas official to use his position in aid the movement.

Last week, Israel’s Shin Bet also announced it had arrested Mohamed El-Halabi, World Vision Gaza manager, on the same accusations. Shin Bet accused El-Halabi of funnelling World Vision’s funds to Hamas; a claim Hamas and World Vision deny.

World Vision said in a statement that its budgets are audited by professional and international auditors. The UNDP is also audited by professional international inspectors.