Tel Aviv-based blockchain analytics firm Lionsgate Network has helped the Israeli government recover $90 million in Hamas cryptocurrencies since the October 7 attack.
The company is currently turning its attention to the digital wallet of the beleaguered United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA). revelation Its staff includes many Hamas terrorists, some of whom actively participated in the October 7 atrocities.
Surveillance of UNRWA intensified after the Hamas attack and exploded when Israel revealed that UN agency personnel were supporting and even participating in terrorist atrocities.
Part of that scrutiny concerns UNRWA funding and how much of it ends up in the hands of Palestinian terrorists. In addition to UNRWA’s three largest funders, the United States, Germany, and the European Union, more than a dozen other countries cut off funding to government agencies since the explosive terrorism allegations were made public.
Lionsgate Network plans to partner with a fundraising platform called Giving Block in late 2021 to explore UNRWA charities in the United States that can accept cryptocurrency donations. Critics argue that such charities give wealthy donors the means to anonymously funnel “dark money” to terrorist organizations through UNRWA.
Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad and other terrorist organizations use hard-to-trace cryptocurrencies to hide their funds in private, password-protected digital wallets, Lionsgate CEO Bezalel Raviv said. He says that he has become very fond of using . Although some of these accounts have been blocked due to U.S. sanctions and Israeli authorities have seized others, at least one large Hamas digital wallet is currently in operation, with approximately $40 million in storage. Funds are flowing.
“Our vision is to secure cryptocurrency transactions and eliminate financial transactions targeting communities around the world. There are loopholes in the financial system and it is no longer just a very small group of people. is equivalent to 1.5% of global capital, which is more than US$1.5 trillion,” Labib said. Said of washington examiner on friday.
UNRWA and UN officials, up to Secretary-General António Guterres, argue that UNRWA is essential to humanitarian operations in Gaza and that cutting off its funding would hamper “life-saving operations.” ing.
Guterres Said He said on Thursday that he was “personally horrified” by allegations that UNRWA staff were involved in crimes against humanity and that “we will meet with donors to hear their concerns and address them.” We have outlined the measures we are taking.”
Friday, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) criticized Amid growing corruption allegations, the Biden administration transferred millions of dollars to UNRWA and insisted that no further funding for the agency would pass the Senate.
“As we have said before, there is no room in the future of the Palestinian people for those weary of corruption and terrorism. “We won’t accept it,” McConnell said.
israeli official Said of era of israel (TOI) said on Tuesday that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government does not want to abolish UNRWA because it “could cause a humanitarian catastrophe that would force Israel to stop fighting Hamas.” Ta.
The official said Israel nevertheless approved the decision to freeze funding to UNRWA until the investigation is complete, giving donors assurance that funds will not be diverted to terrorism.
Israeli intelligence reports say it could take some time share An investigation conducted this week with the United States found that 10 percent of UNRWA’s staff (approximately 1,200 employees) have ties to Hamas or the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, and nearly all have ties to Hamas or the Palestinian Islamic Jihad. half At least one relative of the employee has ties to a terrorist organization.
“Hamas is clearly trying to infiltrate organizations operating in areas under its control. It would be surprising if it wasn’t,” said another Israeli official.
