Tobacco.org

From cigarette sales to smuggled cash, Hamas cuts every corner to beat boycott 

The Islamic militants who violently seized control of Gaza are selling confiscated cigarettes, smuggling cash through underground tunnels and auctioning off government vehicles to make ends meet in the face of a global economic boycott.

No bank will deal directly with Hamas, so it's making deals with moneychangers and merchants to receive funds from Iran, Arab countries and Islamic charities abroad . . .

Gaza smugglers interviewed by The Associated Press said Hamas has moved aggressively to take control of a network of tunnels under Gaza's border with Egypt - a key method of bringing cash and weapons into the fenced-in territory.

Also, Hamas sold off thousands of confiscated cartons of contraband cigarettes in July to raise revenue

Jump to full article »