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Comment by lejalv | Hacker News Reader

Unfortunately Netanyahu actively encouraged Qatar to send cash to Hamas.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Israeli_support_for_Hamas

> In February 2020, former Mossad Director Yossi Cohen and Israeli general Herzi Halevi, under Netanyahu's orders, went to Qatar to plead Qatari officials to continue the payments for Hamas.[8] Later, in September 2023, David Barnea, the Director of Mossad since 2021, went to Qatar to meet Qatari officials to discuss about the payments for Hamas.[10][44]

(...)

> Israeli intelligence officials believe that the money had a role in the success of 2023 Hamas-led attack.[10]

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It wasn't just him, all the governments for the last decade tried to keep the peace while enforcing the blockage but allowing cash for salaries, humanitarian aid etc which made Gaza flourish with hotels, restaurants, beach resorts and high end shopping (see the videos). All no longer :(

A few months prior to October 7th, Natenyahu had allowed the highest number of work visas for Gazans to work in Israel proper. They genuinely thought economic prosperity would bring an slowdown and eventual end to terrorism. Now try and find Israelis who support the idea of 10s of 1000s Palestinians cruising the borders for work each day - thanks to Oct 7th.

Doesn't quite fit the narrative you want to portray, does it?

> Gaza flourish with hotels, restaurants, beach resorts and high end shopping (see the videos)

What videos?

Not OP, but there were many videos posted, (especially early on in this conflict,) depicting very nice neighborhoods and commercial districts in Gaza (some of which were in the process of being destroyed or abandoned).

I guess “generalized ban on travel” a.k.a. “open air prison” fits better.

> Unfortunately Netanyahu actively encouraged Qatar to send cash to Hamas.

Yeah, Benjamin Netanyahu certainly got complacent thinking he could keep a genocidal terrorist group like Hamas under control with that strategy. Qatar and their support for terrorists has long been a problem as well.

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