The primary income sources of the terrorist organisation Hamas are: the support of Iran, taxation, a global investment portfolio, diversion of relief funds provided by charities, and proceeds from crowdfunding campaigns (including in virtual currencies).
In the moving stage, Hamas mainly uses credit and financial institutions, but also informal transfer systems, illicit traffic, shell companies and trade-based money laundering. They use cash, bank accounts and virtual currencies, and funds are also transferred to individuals with no known connection to the organisation. On the other hand, it is important to keep in mind that identity-based support networks play a part in both raising and the moving funds.
The first part of the short survey provides an overview of Hamas, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad and Hezbollah, all of which play an important role considering the regional aspect of the conflict. This is followed by risk indicators and sample cases, as well as the primary typologies of Hamas financing both in terms of raising and transferring funds for terrorist purposes.
