Gaza’s public servants outraged at Hamas’ recent spending
Recent documents were leaked to the media showing that Hamas spent more than $550,000 for the celebrations of its anniversary, which raised the ire of Gaza government employees who have not received their full salaries since 2013.
GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip — On Dec. 17, media sites circulated a leaked document from Hamas’ Popular Action Department detailing the movements’ expenses for the celebrations of its 31st anniversary in mid-December in Gaza City.
The expenditures included travel and accommodation costs to bring Al-Waad band from Beirut to Gaza to participate in the festivities, buses to transport citizens to the event location, monitors at the festival site, Hamas flags and banners, promotion on social media and personal visits by Hamas members to Gaza.
The movement also paid to install a stage in Katiba Square, west of Gaza City, and rented seating and generators. The leaked document said total expenditures up to Dec. 13 were some $534,350 — a bill that has angered many Hamas government employees in Gaza who have not been paid their full salary since 2013.
Amal Habib, a journalist for Al-Resalah newspaper affiliated with the Hamas government in Gaza, wrote Dec. 13 on her Facebook page, “I know people are able to install a celebration stage and erect columns, but a month ago they were not able to give one woman part of her salary to pay for a passport and visa so she could travel to see her father before he dies!” This was a reference to herself.
