The Blogs: Hamas can always hire another accountant | Tamar Landau

Tamar Landau argues that Israel's targeted killings of Hamas financial operatives are necessary but insufficient. The article describes Hamas's institutional cash system, extortion of Gaza merchants, and proposes three strategic pillars: international enforcement, tech-driven financing disruption, and linking financial oversight to Gaza's reconstruction. It warns that without strict oversight, the proposed $2.45 billion reconstruction effort could sustain Hamas.

Tamar Landau argues that Israel's targeted killings of Hamas financial operatives, such as Mohammad Abu Alwan, are a necessary but insufficient tactic. The article describes how Hamas's institutional cash system, built over two decades, allows it to quickly replace eliminated managers. It highlights the extortion of Gaza merchants, who face threats from both Israeli intelligence and Hamas officers. Landau proposes three strategic pillars: international enforcement and multilateral cooperation, keeping pace with tech-driven financing like cryptocurrency, and linking financial disruption to Gaza's economic recovery. The article warns that without strict oversight of the proposed $2.45 billion reconstruction effort, Hamas will continue to exploit the informal economy.