Israel Reveals 2021 Hamas-Iran Pact for $500 Million to "Uproot" Israel April 6, 2025 — Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz unveiled documents today that he described as "conclusive proof" of Iran's direct financial backing for Hamas' October 7, 2023, massacre and its broader campaign to destroy Israel. The intelligence, extracted from Hamas tunnels in Gaza, reveals a June 2021 letter in which Hamas leaders Yahya Sinwar and Mohammed Deif requested $500 million from Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) to fund their military objectives against Israel, including the eventual October 7 attack that killed over 1,200 people.
The 2021 Request and Iran’s Response According to the documents, Sinwar and Deif addressed their plea to IRGC Quds Force commander Esmail Qaani, demanding $20 million monthly over two years to "achieve great goals" and "uproot this monstrous entity" — a reference to Israel. The letter, written in starkly ideological terms, declared confidence that "by the end of these two years, or during them, God willing, we will end this dark period in the history of our nation".
Iran’s response, coordinated through Saeed Izadi, head of the IRGC’s Palestinian Affairs division, acknowledged Tehran’s severe economic strain but affirmed that "the struggle against Israel and the U.S. remains the regime’s top priority". While declining to commit to fixed monthly payments, Izadi pledged: "We promise to send whatever we have when we have it". Katz emphasized that Iran ultimately delivered financial support, though the exact disbursed amount remains unclear.
Intelligence Breakthrough The documents were discovered by Israel’s newly formed Intelligence and Technological Systems Unit (AMASHT), a reservist-driven team specializing in technical collection and analysis. During a visit to the unit, Katz highlighted its role in securing "physical intelligence from deep inside enemy territory," including Hamas archives and Hezbollah communications. The AMASHT unit, established during the ongoing "Iron Swords" war, has reportedly developed unprecedented capabilities to analyze seized materials.
Geopolitical Implications Katz framed the revelations as evidence of Iran’s role as "the head of the snake," bankrolling proxy wars across Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, Yemen, and the West Bank. While the documents do not indicate Iran had prior knowledge of the October 7 attack’s timing, they underscore Tehran’s systemic support for Hamas’ military infrastructure. This disclosure comes amid heightened regional tensions, with Israel vowing to "prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons" and dismantle its "axis of evil".
Contradictions and Context The findings complicate previous assessments of Iran-Hamas relations. While a 2020 U.S. State Department report estimated annual Iranian funding to Palestinian groups at $100 million, the 2021 letter suggests Hamas sought a dramatic escalation in support. An Israeli security source cited in the documents claims Iran had already increased annual funding to $350 million by 2023, though the $500 million request appears to represent a distinct strategic investment.
On-the-Ground Fallout As Katz presented the documents, Gaza media reported rare anti-Hamas protests in Jabalia, where demonstrators chanted "Hamas are terrorists" and "Hamas are garbage". The unrest highlights growing civilian frustration in Gaza after six months of war and Hamas’ dwindling popular support.
What’s Next Israel is expected to leverage these documents to galvanize international pressure on Iran, particularly regarding its nuclear program and regional proxies. The Biden administration, already engaged in indirect talks with Tehran, faces renewed calls to address Iran’s destabilizing role. For Hamas, the exposure of its financial pipelines deals a symbolic blow as it struggles to maintain operational cohesion in Gaza’s embattled tunnel networks.
— Reported with contributions from intelligence and regional security analysts.