JERUSALEM — The Gaza head of the U.S.-based humanitarian aid organization World Vision funneled as much as $7 million a year over the past 10 years to Hamas’ terror activities, Israel’s domestic security agency said Thursday.

The Shin Bet said the aid group’s Gaza director, Mohammed el-Halabi, is an active figure in Hamas’ military wing. He was indicted by Israeli authorities Thursday, accused of diverting some 60 percent of World Vision’s annual budget for Gaza to Hamas, the militant Palestinian group that rules the coastal enclave. He was charged with transferring money and working with a terror group.

Hamas is viewed as a terrorist organization by Israel, the United States and the European Union. Israel has fought three wars with Hamas since 2009.

According to Israel, Halabi handed over roughly $1.5 million a year in cash to Hamas’ combat units and used an $800,000 donation from the United Kingdom to help build a Hamas military base. The money was designated for civilian projects in the Gaza Strip, Israeli authorities said.

World Vision is among the largest Christian charities in the world and receives considerable funding from the United Nations and Western governments. Operating in more than 100 countries, it has a budget of $2.6 billion.

In a statement Thursday, the charity said it was “shocked to learn of the charges” against Halabi and called for Israel to facilitate a fair legal process.

“World Vision is a Christian relief, development and advocacy organization dedicated to working with children, families and communities to overcome poverty and injustice,” the charity said in the statement. It has been working in Israel and the Palestinian territories for more than 40 years.

Halabi was arrested at the Erez Crossing between Israel and the Gaza Strip on June 15.


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