Israel reveals pre-Oct 7 correspondence between Iran and Hamas about $500 million for 'destroying the State of Israel'

Defense Minister Israel Katz revealed on Sunday the correspondence between Iran and the Hamas leaders who orchestrated the Oct. 7, 2023, massacre – Yahya Sinwar and Mohammed Deif.

In the course of the correspondence, Hamas leaders demanded from Tehran a sum of $500 million for the purpose of "destroying the State of Israel," and according to the documents, the request was approved.

According to the document, Hamas leaders approached Qassem Soleimani, commander of the Quds Force in the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps – who was assassinated by the United States in 2020 – in order to obtain the funds. This indicates that the document likely originates from the period when Hamas first began planning the massacre in the Gaza envelope area.

Sinwar and Deif were answered by Azadi, head of the Palestinian branch of Iran's Revolutionary Guard, who said that Tehran would continue to funnel money to the terrorist organization despite the dire economic situation of the Iranian people.

In the correspondence, the Iranian official emphasized the struggle against Israel and the United States is of top priority for the regime in Tehran.

After revealing the document, Katz stated, "The conclusion is clear – Iran is the head of the snake, and despite all its denials, even today it continues to fund and promote terrorism on all fronts – from Gaza, through Lebanon, Syria, Judea and Samaria, and now also with the Houthis in Yemen – under the banner of wanting to destroy Israel."

Katz concluded, "Israel will do everything to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons and will continue to strike at its proxies in the region until the collapse and dismantling of the Iranian axis of evil."