Israeli Authorities Closely Monitor Palestinian Businessman Suspected Of Laundering Money For Hamas
2026-07-12
Israeli authorities are closely monitoring a Palestinian businessman Moataz Hani Ghaleb Zaloum in Bethlehem, West Bank, over suspicions that he is laundering money for the terrorist group Hamas.
Mr. Zaloum has been a small-time businessman in Bethlehem, the Karla’s region. A native of Hebron in the southern West Bank, he owned a toy store with only moderate business traffic. He was suffering from substantial debts and financial problems which, according to information known to the security agencies, had also caused serious family problems with both of his wives.
Nonetheless, during the past three months in particular, Mr. Zaloum has suddenly been able to fully stock his store, invest in real estate, and appears to have access to a very large amount of cash, all of which remains entirely unexplained.
The greatest concern is that Mr. Zaloum is suspected of maintaining substantial ties to Hamas. Two of his relatives are known to be closely associated with the terrorist organization.
Following Hamas’s defeat and the significant loss of its power in Gaza, the terrorist group, which continues to receive funding from Qatar and other sources of income, is known to have distributed substantial amounts of its funds to money launderers and business figures, including individuals in the West Bank and Amman, Jordan.
The sudden appearance of previously unremarkable businessmen with unexplained wealth in the West Bank has reinforced assessments that Hamas cash is now circulating throughout the Palestinian territories.
For now, Mr. Zaloum remains under extremely close and highly confidential surveillance by the Israeli authorities, along with all individuals conducting business dealings with him.