Edited by: Fern Sidman

In a startling revelation, a recent report by the New York Post sheds light on the extravagant lifestyles led by the leaders of the Hamas terrorist organization, while the people they claim to represent endure poverty and hardship. The leaders, with an estimated combined wealth of $11 billion, have found a sanctuary in the wealthy emirate of Qatar, raising questions about the country’s role as a host to both high-profile figures and the American military, according to the Post report.

The report highlights the vast disparities between the opulent lives of these Hamas leaders and the dire conditions faced by the Palestinian residents of Gaza.  The Post report indicated that while the organization’s leadership enjoys luxurious accommodations in Qatar, the population they claim to serve in the Gaza Strip, numbering over 2 million, lives in conditions of abject poverty.

Hamas leaders net worth:
Abu Marzuk $3 billion
Khaled Mashal $4 billion
Ismail Haniyeh $4 billion
Hamas’ annual turnover: $1 billion

While Gazans are deprived of basic needs, Hamas uses aid & funds to line their own pockets.#HamasislSIS #StandWithIsrael pic.twitter.com/iGuWCaiBtf

— Embassy of Israel to the USA | #IsraelUSA75 (@IsraelinUSA) October 29, 2023

Three prominent figures in the Hamas terror group’s hierarchy, Ismail Haniyeh, Moussa Abu Marzuk, and Khaled Mashal, are said to maintain lavish lifestyles in Qatar. The New York Post’s investigation reveals that these leaders have been spotted at exclusive diplomatic clubs, photographed aboard private jets, and have indulged in extensive international travel.

The timing of their presence in Qatar coincided with the 2022 soccer World Cup, underscoring their privileged positions in a country that hosts one of the most prestigious sporting events in the world, according to the Post report. The extravagant lives of these Hamas leaders are in stark contrast to the hardships endured by the people under their rule.

Ismail Haniyeh, who leads Hamas’ politburo, stands out as one of the wealthiest among the group’s leaders, with an estimated net worth exceeding $4 billion, the Post reported. Shockingly, this billionaire leader of Hamas has been seen enjoying the high life alongside his two adult sons, Maaz and Abdel Salam, in luxury hotels in Qatar and Turkey, as confirmed by a recent social media post from the Embassy of Israel in the United States and reported on by the Post.

Furthermore, the New York Post report revealed that Haniyeh recently traveled to Iran to meet with Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has a long history of sponsoring Hamas terror activities. This raises questions about the extent of international support for the group’s leadership.

In a recent incident, the Four Seasons hotel in Doha was compelled to issue a statement denying Haniyeh’s presence as a guest, following calls for his expulsion, as was noted in the Post report. The controversy surrounding his stay has drawn attention to the ethical responsibility of businesses with influential stakeholders. The Four Seasons, known for its high-end offerings, offers suites with sea views starting at $900 a night, the report added.

In response to these revelations, the Post report said that Rep. Andy Ogles (R-Tenn.) is reportedly sponsoring a bill that could jeopardize Qatar’s status as a key US ally unless it takes measures to expel the Hamas leadership. The bill reflects growing concerns about the contradiction between Qatar’s hosting of the American military and its continued hospitality towards the leaders of Hamas.

The group, which is responsible for the anti-Semitic Oct. 7 massacre of more than 1,400 innocent civilians and soldiers in southern Israel, continues to hold over 240 hostages in Gaza.

Ogles’ bill would strip Qatar of its special status in the top tier of America’s non-NATO allies alongside Israel, Taiwan, South Korea, Australia and Japan, as was reported by the Post.

Speaking to the Post on Tuesday, Ogles said, “As the group continues to wreak havoc on the lives of innocent Israeli civilians, the United States must ensure there is no ally supporting them. Sadly, the State of Qatar is still funding and supporting Hamas as its leadership enjoys political refuge in Doha.”

One prominent Hamas figure is Haniyeh’s son, Maaz, who is referred to as “the father of real estate” in Gaza due to his extensive collection of villas and buildings, as was reported by the Post. He resides in Turkey, where he indulges in a playboy lifestyle. This year, Maaz Haniyeh reportedly obtained Turkish citizenship. His father, Ismail Haniyeh, the senior leader of the organization, is also said to hold Turkish citizenship, the report added.

Another leader, Moussa Abu Marzuk, holds a master’s degree in construction management from Colorado State University and is estimated by the Israeli government to be worth $3 billion, according to the Post report. It’s worth noting that he was detained in New York in 1995 when his name appeared on a terrorist watch list.

Khaled Mashal, who issued a global threat against Jews following the anti-Semitic massacre of 1400 Israeli and others on October 7 in souther Israel, is reported to be worth more than $4 billion, according to the Israeli government, the Post report noted. The extravagant lives led by these leaders raise serious ethical and moral questions, given the organization’s history of violence and terrorism.

Qatar has long justified its hosting of these Hamas terror leaders as part of its support for transforming the organization into a “responsible governing power,” according to the Post report. The emirate provides Hamas with significant financial support, ranging from $120 million to $480 million annually, as reported by the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies and reported on by the Post. These funds not only directly benefit the Hamas leaders but also indirectly support social services and government operations, allowing Hamas to maintain political control in Gaza.

Qatar is also home to the Al Jazeera news channel, which has faced allegations of spreading anti-Semitism, anti-Americanism, and incitement to violence in the Arab world, according to the Post report.

The Post report revealed that Qatar is not only known for its full throated support of Hamas but also for hosting one of the most important American military bases in the Middle East, the Al Udeid air base, which houses US Central Command’s forward base in the region.

In addition to Qatar’s support, Hamas has also received substantial funding from the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), the Post report said. The UNRWA provided the group with $380 million since 2021, with a significant portion coming from the Biden administration’s contributions. This funding has raised concerns about taxpayer dollars inadvertently reaching the organization.