Mossad’s Qatar letter revives the Gaza cash controversy
TIME’s newly published correspondence puts Yossi Cohen’s support for humanitarian assistance back under scrutiny.
TIME’s investigation describes a 2020 letter from then-Mossad director Yossi Cohen thanking Qatar for Gaza aid. The report examines Israel’s role in the funding mechanism.
The humanitarian programme had an official public record. In October 2021, Qatar’s mission to the United Nations described a $40 million contribution over four months for cash assistance to about 100,000 vulnerable families in Gaza. It said a memorandum signed with the UN special coordinator set out the distribution mechanism.
That account identified needy families as the intended recipients. It provides evidence of the programme’s declared purpose and arrangements, with no independent audit of where every payment ultimately went.
Netanyahu’s office declined comment to TIME. Qatar told the magazine its assistance was for civilians and coordinated with Israel and international partners.
Spy Register has not independently authenticated Cohen’s original letter. The document reporting is attributed to TIME; the 2021 official account establishes Qatar’s description of a humanitarian programme, without establishing the final use of every payment.
Sources & further reading
- TIME investigation into Israel’s role in Qatari payments to GazaTIME
- Qatar’s UN mission describes Gaza aid mechanism, 3 October 2021Qatar Permanent Mission to the United Nations