Key Takeaways
- Hamas documents prove direct involvement in the funding and execution of the ‘Sumud’ flotilla to Gaza.
- The PCPA operates as Hamas’ de facto embassies, mobilizing actions against Israel.
- The Hamas Political Bureau is led by Ismail Haniyeh, who publicly endorses the PCPA.
Now revealed for the first time, official Hamas documents found in the Gaza Strip prove the terrorist organisation’s direct involvement in the funding and execution of the ‘Sumud’ flotilla to Gaza. While Hamas in the Gaza Strip is responsible for what happens inside the strip; outside the strip, activities are carried out by Hamas Abroad.
The Palestinian Conference for Palestinians Abroad (PCPA), established in 2018, serves as a representative body of Hamas Abroad, operating under the garb of a civilian cover.
The PCPA, on behalf of Hamas, operates under the garb of a civilian cover, and holds the responsibility of mobilizing actions against Israel, which include violent demonstrations, anti-Israel marches, and demonstration and provocation flotillas.
The first Hamas document found is a letter from 2021, signed by Ismail Haniyeh, the Head of the Hamas Political Bureau, directly and openly calling on the PCPA Chairman for unity. Israel designated the PCPA as a terrorist organization back in 2021, due to it being Hamas’ wing. In the letter, Haniyeh publicly endorses the PCPA.
The second document is a list of PCPA operatives who are also high-ranking, well-known Hamas operatives. The list features names like Zaher Birawi, Head, PCPA Hamas Sector in the UK. He is also known as a leader of the demonstration flotillas to the Gaza Strip over the last 15 years; and Abu Kashk, an operative from the organization in Spain.
Abu Kashk is also the CEO of ‘Cyber Neptune’, a front company in Spain, that in turn owns dozens of the ships participating in the ‘Sumud’ flotilla.
