Amid Israel’s ongoing military campaign against Hamas terrorists in Gaza, the terror group is reportedly facing an unprecedented financial crisis.

Earlier this week, the Wall Street Journal reported that salary payments to many Hamas government employees have ceased, and even senior officials received only half of their usual pay during Ramadan. Terrorists, who once earned $200 to $300 a month, are struggling to get paid as the IDF tightens its grip, and the flow of humanitarian aid has been cut off since the collapse of the ceasefire.

Dr. Michael Milstein, head of the Forum for Palestinian Studies at Tel Aviv University, said that while financial difficulties are mounting, Hamas operatives are motivated more by ideology than money. «It’s not just about a paycheck,» Milstein said. «Hamas provides essential supplies like food, water and medical care to families, which is crucial in today’s Gaza.» Despite the squeeze, Milstein noted that Hamas has weathered similar financial crises in the past without collapsing.

ISRAEL LAUNCHES NEW GROUND OPERATION IN GAZA

«Two days ago, the IDF killed the battalion commander of the Sajia area for the fifth time. Today, there’s a new battalion commander. They fill the ranks. Hamas had 25,000 military operatives on October 7, and today it has a similar number, even though it lost twenty thousand. They manage with fewer experienced operatives, including children recruited from refugee camps, but manpower is always available in Gaza. As for weapons other than rockets, there is no problem—RPGs, explosives, and rifles are available,» Milstein added.

Mkhaimar Abusada, a Gazan political analyst and currently a visiting scholar at Northwestern University, emphasized that Hamas will likely find ways to recover. «Hamas has survived despite external financial pressures for nearly two decades,» Abusada said. «They’ve bypassed sanctions and continue to exploit black market activities and taxes on merchants.» While money may not drive Hamas fighters, Abusada suggested that the financial squeeze would complicate their operations but not lead to the group’s collapse.

Protesters spoke out against Hamas in the Gaza Strip. (Fox News)

Before the war, according to the same Wall Street Journal article, Qatar provided Hamas with monthly transfers of $15 million, helping to build a stockpile of around $500 million, much of it stored in Turkey. However, Israel’s tightened blockade has limited access to these funds, forcing Hamas to rely on new income sources, such as black-market activities and taxes. «Still, Hamas continues to manage through illicit financial flows, circumventing Israel, U.S., and international sanctions with relative ease,» Abusada said.

Amid the financial crisis, protests against Hamas have started to gain traction. Initially small, demonstrations in Gaza City and surrounding areas have called for an end to Hamas’ rule, with some protesters shouting, «Hamas out!» Abusada noted that these protests, originally anti-war and anti-Israel, have taken on anti-Hamas slogans. However, Hamas has responded violently. «Hamas has made it clear that dissent will be crushed,» he said, adding that some protesters have been tortured to death for their involvement.

HOW ISRAEL’S WAR AGAINST HAMAS TERRORISTS WILL BE DIFFERENT UNDER TRUMP

The IDF recently announced its troops are now operating in Rafah as it continued ground activity in northern and central Gaza. (IDF)

«The amount of hatred Gazans have has increased a thousandfold since October 7,» said Milstein, «and it’s all directed toward Israel and Hamas, both regarded as evil.»

Milstein said that while protests show unrest, they lack leadership and organization. «Hamas has violently suppressed protests, and if this continues, they may die out,» he said, pointing to a recent protest in Beit Lahiya that quickly dwindled.

Palestinians continue to return to their homes after a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, amid destruction in Gaza City, Gaza on February 2, 2025.  (Ali Jadallah/Anadolu via Getty Images)

Recent reports indicate that more Palestinians, including hundreds with dual citizenship, are leaving Gaza through Ramon Airport for Europe. This is part of Israel Katz’s Ministry of Defense plan to encourage those who wish to permanently relocate, aligning with President Trump’s vision for the relocation of Gazans.

«The destruction of homes, schools, and hospitals, along with a lack of basic needs, has driven many to leave Gaza,» Abusada said. «But options are limited—Europe is not open to large numbers of refugees from Gaza.»

Protesters march against Hamas in the Gaza Strip. (Fox News)

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Abusada further explained that many of those who are leaving Gaza are dual nationals or have European residency. «This is not voluntary migration,» he said. «Living in a war zone for 18 months with no infrastructure has forced many Palestinians to seek a better life elsewhere.»

Ni Londres ya es lo que era. Desde esta semana, actuar en la plaza de Leicester Square, centro neurálgico de las artes escénicas de Londres, pasa a estar prohibido y será considerado delito tras quejas vecinales y un fallo judicial que ha supuesto un golpe para los artistas callejeros.

El pasado 26 de marzo, un juez del Tribunal de Magistrados de la City de Londres ordenó poner fin al ‘busking’ (actuaciones en la calle) en este mítico espacio y alegó que el ruido de los conciertos constantes podían suponer una «tortura psicológica» para los vecinos y negocios cercanos como Global Radio, que interpuso la denuncia.

Este dictamen obligó al ayuntamiento del distrito londinense de Westminster (Westminster City Council), que abarca gran parte del centro de la capital, a suspender a partir de este 17 de abril las dos zonas que había designadas para actuar en Leicester Square, en lo que desde el gremio de artistas consideran como un nuevo intento para echarlos de las calles.

El Westminster City Council implementó un sistema de licencias para entretenimiento callejero en abril de 2021 y, desde entonces, ha reducido el 90 % de los espacios permitidos para actuar en el Centro de Londres y ha enjuiciado a una veintena de artistas, algunos con sanciones de hasta 2.500 libras (algo más de 2.900 euros) y cargos criminales por incumplir el reglamento.

A modo de protesta, un grupo de músicos se reunió el miércoles para cantar -posiblemente, por última vez- en la plaza mientras portaban pancartas con proclamas en las que destacaban que las actuaciones callejeras no son un crimen, pedían al ayuntamiento de Westminster dejar de «matar» la cultura o acusaban a Global Radio de «silenciar» a los artistas.

«Me gano la vida parcialmente cantando en la calle, así que esto significa que va a ser un poco más difícil para mí poder alimentar a mi hijo», comentó a EFE el ‘busker’ Nick Howe, que compartió su descontento por cómo se ha gestado la decisión, sin negociar con los músicos y sin ofrecer una solución alternativa a la suspensión de las actuaciones hasta nuevo aviso.

“Hay otras formas de hacerlo, se pueden gestionar los puestos o imponer mínimos de decibelios si hay problemas con ciertos ruidos”, expuso el músico, que apeló a la ciudadanía a ponerse en contacto con las autoridades londinenses para tratar de revertir la decisión.

Por su parte, el portavoz del Ayuntamiento de Westminster, Matt Noble, aseguró la semana pasada en un comunicado que el cierre de los puestos de Leicester Square no supone la prohibición de los ‘buskers’ en el distrito y que esta decisión viene precipitada por el reciente fallo judicial.

«Los artistas callejeros son una parte muy querida de la identidad de nuestra ciudad, pero también debemos equilibrar esto con el deber de proteger a los residentes y los negocios», dijo Noble.

En cambio, Howe considera que es una “campaña coordinada para acabar con el arte en la ciudad”, pues esta nueva prohibición, que implica “multas, la confiscación de equipos o incluso la retirada de la licencia para los artistas que infrinjan la norma”, también afecta a las silenciosas estatuas humanas, pese a que la queja principal es el volumen de la música.

Entre las figuras cinematográficas de Mary Poppins, Harry Potter o Mr. Bean que rodean la emblemática plaza de Leicester Square, a partir de hoy faltará la de Tommy, de 45 años y de origen rumano, tras 10 años dando vida a personajes como Charlie Chaplin en Leicester Square para el deleite de los turistas.

«Me dijeron que yo también me tenía que ir porque, si me quedaba aquí, alguien iba a venir a cantar o se iba a poner a actuar a mi lado y a hacer ruido», explica Tommy, que admite a EFE que tener que abandonar su puesto habitual, sin saber dónde podrá -o si podrá- seguir trabajando, le está afectando «física y psicológicamente».

En las mismas calles que un día vieron nacer a estrellas como Ed Sheeran o Rod Stewart, las nuevas generaciones de ‘buskers’ londinenses se despidieron a ritmo del Skyfall de Adele; y la estrofa en la que dice “cuando todo se desmorone, vamos a mantenernos de pie y enfrentaremos todo juntos” cobró un nuevo sentido en sus voces.

(Fuente: EFE)

Director of National Intelligence (DNI) Tulsi Gabbard announced the release of the first batch of Robert F. Kennedy assassination files on Friday after teasing the news earlier this month. 

«Nearly 60 years after the tragic assassination of Senator Robert F. Kennedy, the American people will, for the first time, have the opportunity to review the federal government’s investigation thanks to the leadership of President Trump,» Gabbard said in a statement released. «My team is honored that the President entrusted us to lead the declassification efforts and to shine a long-overdue light on the truth. I extend my deepest thanks for Bobby Kennedy and his families’ support.»

Health and Human Services Secretary (HHS) Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. said in the same statement that releasing the files was «a necessary step toward restoring trust in American government.»

GABBARD SAYS RFK, MLK JR RECORDS ‘READY TO RELEASE’ IN DAYS, HAS ‘HUNTERS’ LOOKING AT FBI, CIA FOR MORE FILES

«I commend President Trump for his courage and his commitment to transparency. I’m grateful also to Tulsi Gabbard for her dogged efforts to root out and declassify these documents,» he continued. 

Likewise, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt reacted to the files’ release on X on Friday morning, writing, «RFK Files have been released. Promises Made. Promises Kept.»

During a Friday morning appearance on «FOX and Friends,» Gabbard said 10,000 pages had been released — none of which had previously been digitized or publicly viewed. Gabbard said the files included documents regarding the government’s investigation of the assassination and «questions and theories» as the investigation played out, as well as State Department conversations and insight. 

«The significance of this is huge,» Gabbard said. «It’s been nearly 60 years since Senator Kennedy was assassinated. We’re obviously not stopping here.»

WEEKS AFTER EPSTEIN FILE FALLOUT, A NEW DEADLINE LOOMS IN THE RELEASE OF THE RFK AND MLK FILES

Gabbard also said that «just the other day, we discovered over 50,000 additional pages solely around Senator Kennedy’s assassination,» saying she had «over 100 people at National Archives» scanning through the documents in anticipation of a second release. 

«Nearly six decades have passed since the tragic assassination of Senator Robert F. Kennedy and these historic files have been hidden from the American people all this time — until now,» a White House spokesperson told Fox News Digital. «In the name of maximum transparency, President Trump has released over 10,000 pages of the RFK files with more to come. There has never been a more transparent president in the history of our country than President Donald J. Trump. Another promise made and promise kept.»

Gabbard had previously mentioned the files’ drop on April 10 during a Cabinet meeting at the White House, saying at the time that more than 100 people had been «working around the clock» scanning paperwork related to both the Martin Luther King Jr. and RFK assassinations and subsequent investigations. 

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. said in the same statement that releasing the files was «a necessary step toward restoring trust in American government.» (Jon Cherry/Getty Images)

«These have been sitting in boxes in storage for decades,» Gabbard told President Donald Trump. Kennedy was also present during the meeting. 

«They have never been scanned or seen before. We’ll have those ready to release here within the next few days,» Gabbard said. 

The RFK files’ release comes as a result of Trump’s declassification executive order issued shortly after he started his second term. The order specifically seeks to declassify files on the assassinations of former President John F. Kennedy, his brother Robert and civil rights icon King.

EPSTEIN FILES DEBACLE SPURS NEW INTEREST IN CONTENTS OF PROMISED RFK, MLK ASSASSINATION FILES

Trump had previously promised to declassify the documents while on the campaign trail, saying at the time, «When I return to the White House, I will declassify and unseal all JFK assassination-related documents. It’s been 60 years, time for the American people to know the truth.»

According to the order, the director of national intelligence and other officials were expected to submit their proposed release plans for the RFK and MLK files on March 9. 

The RFK files’ release comes as a result of Trump’s declassification executive order issued shortly after he started his second term. (AP Photo/Laurence Harris, File)

DNI and the attorney general were previously given a Feb. 7 deadline to submit their release plans for the JFK files. 

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The Justice Department saw a fallout in late February after releasing a batch of Jeffrey Epstein files. Many of the documents publicized then had already been released during the federal criminal trial of Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein’s former lover and convicted accomplice. 

Fox News Digital’s Louis Casiano contributed to this report.