World Vision shuts down operations in Gaza, lays off 120 employees amid Hamas funding controversy
World Vision has announced that it is terminating contracts of employees and freezing its projects in Gaza amid allegations that funds have been used to aid terror group Hamas.
The letter to its contractors revealed that the bank accounts of World Vision in Jerusalem have been frozen. The charity is now unable to transfer money to Gaza and pay its employees.
"Because of the crisis, we have frozen all our activities in Gaza. Our bank accounts in Jerusalem were frozen by the (Israeli) authorities, which also prevented us from making any transfers to Gaza," the letter stated.
"Because of these conditions that are beyond the control of World Vision, we will not be able to keep your job at the present stage because we will not be able to transfer any salaries or any other payments," it continued.
The workers were also asked to hand over equipment they received from the charity including mobile phones, computers and identity cards. The letter also stated that World Vision was conducting a full review including a forensic audit.
An unidentified employee said to Reuters that senior employees of World Vision will still receive partial salaries. World Vision will eventually rehire the workers after resolving the crisis, said the employee.
Mohammad El Halabi, the manager of World Vision's Gaza operations, has been accused of transferring $50 million to Hamas. Israeli authorities stated that the money was used to purchase weapons for Hamas fighters in Egypt. Hamas reportedly used $80,000 of funds to build a military base.
World Vision released a statement afterwards denying the allegations. The charity claimed that its budget for Gaza for the past 10 years only amounted to $22.5 million. The organization added that El Halabi became the manager of the Gaza operations only in October 2014.
The Australian government immediately suspended the funding for the organization after news of the allegations broke out. Australia has sent over $4.35 million to World Vision in the past three years to aid Palestinians.
