Field commanders and activists from Iranian-backed Palestinian factions in Gaza warn of a potential “complete collapse” as a worsening financial crisis comes amid signs of a possible US strike on Tehran.
Nearly two years of Israeli war in Gaza, along with strikes extending to Lebanon, Iran and parts of Syria, have strained money transfer routes and drained the factions’ assets and savings.
Islamic Jihad is the largest faction financially and logistically tied to Iran. To a lesser extent, links also reach the Popular Resistance Committees, the Mujahideen Brigades and other armed groups. Sources from those factions and activists in Gaza said the financial squeeze has hit all of them.
One source said stipends for individual members have dropped to between 200 and 400 shekels (the dollar equals 3.10 shekels) every 60 to 70 days, down from 800 to 2,200 shekels per month or every 40 days for some prominent members and activists before the war.
“Even at the leadership level, allocations have fallen to 1,000 shekels at most every two months or more, compared with more than 3,000 shekels nearly every month before the war,” the source said.
A source in a more minor faction said members of his group have received nothing for more than three months and now rely on intermittent donations from other parties, arriving roughly every two months or more, to distribute just 200 shekels per member.
Sanctions deepen the strain
Economic sanctions imposed by Washington in recent months on Iranian individuals and entities have compounded the difficulty of sustaining support, with leaders and field operatives locked in constant discussions about the crisis and its outlook.
Some factions receive direct backing from Iran and, to a lesser degree, rely on ties with Lebanon’s Hezbollah dating to their founding years, particularly during the second Intifada that erupted in late 2000.
Islamic Jihad sources said dwindling resources have hit charities affiliated with the movement. At the same time, allocations to other “humanitarian institutions” have been cut back to minimal activity, despite their direct affiliation with the Iranian regime.
More than one source within the movement described an unprecedented financial crisis, both inside and outside Gaza, especially in Lebanon, where Hezbollah has sustained heavy blows, and in Syria, where the movement has weakened significantly since the collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s rule.
Even so, sources said Islamic Jihad may be the last to face “collapse,” citing its popular base and ability to manage some affairs if security conditions stabilize at home and abroad.
The risk appears more immediate for other Iran-linked factions, which, before the war, relied on funding from Hamas. That support has stopped as Hamas grapples with mounting financial troubles of its own.
Hamas, however, has diversified revenue streams. Its years of governing Gaza enabled it to establish “investment projects” inside and outside the enclave, alongside tax revenues and other income collected by its government.
Iranian regret
Asharq Al-Awsat has learned that Iranian parties have expressed regret to some faction leaders over the current situation, citing the difficult circumstances facing Iran that have disrupted financial and military support.
Field sources said growing concern over a possible strike on Iran is intensifying fears of collapse among Tehran-linked factions, particularly given their fragile finances. Some field or armed members have been forced to seek basic jobs to support their families despite Israeli pursuit, they said.
Those who eased security precautions under financial pressure do not represent the majority, the sources added. Most leaders and members continue to carry out assigned tasks, banking on a diplomatic deal on Iran’s nuclear program to head off a US strike on the country.
