Gaza flotilla operated by Hamas and Muslim Brotherhood via shell companies: Israeli FM

Israel's Foreign Minister Gideon Saar accused Hamas and the Muslim Brotherhood of financing and operating the Global Sumud Flotilla through shell companies. Speaking at a conference in Washington, DC, Saar presented what he claimed were internal Hamas documents seized by the IDF, indicating "financing, operational involvement, and covert ownership of the vessels through a Spanish shell company." He identified Zaher Birawi, founder of the International Freedom Flotilla Coalition, as a Hamas agent, citing documents signed by former Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh. The US Treasury sanctioned Birawi in January for Hamas links. Saar also noted that "senior Hamas activists are running these campaigns from Britain and other Western capitals" and highlighted the presence of flotilla activist Thiago Avila at the funeral of former Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, accusing the flotilla of "whitewashing of terrorism."