How Hamas Exploited Aid and Lost the Support of Many Palestinians

The UN and other aid organizations have been delivering food to civilians in Gaza. However, according to newly released information that many had previously suspected, the aid has not always reached civilians directly. Instead, the terrorist organization Hamas has often stolen the aid and sold it on the black market in order to raise funds—for example, to pay its fighters’ salaries.

When Israel blocked the aid convoys, this flow of money came to an end, and Hamas now appears to be out of cash. It has reportedly not been able to pay its fighters for several months, let alone provide compensation to the families of those killed in action.

Aid deliveries resumed a few days ago, and this time Israel intends to ensure that the food goes directly to those in need. Time will tell how successful they will be.

All this raises a legitimate question: should Palestinian aid actors—especially the UN—that in practice ended up supporting Hamas, now critically reassess their actions? And what about those in the West who made noise about the temporary suspension of aid that, in effect, had been benefiting terrorists? 

For my part, I simply note that Hamas’s actions do not serve the interests of the vast majority of Palestinians; rather, the organization’s goal seems to be nothing more than exploiting them. It appears that more and more Gazans have come to the same conclusion, as many have turned against the group and even dared to protest openly in hopes of driving it out of Gaza. 

Previous thoughts on the same topic:
Could Mohammed Sinwar’s Death Mark a Turning Point Toward Peace
Why Hamas Is Unwilling to Give Up Its Weapons
In Finland, the Enemy Is Clear – and Now the Truth Is Emerging for the Palestinians Too

Mentally Elementary-School-Aged Were Attacked, But Will Iran Come to Their Aid?

The brave journalist from the Finnish broadcasting company Yleisradio, Antti Kuronen—whom I hold in high regard—was harassed last night during a live broadcast, first by a group of young Lebanese and then shortly afterward by members of Hezbollah. The incident was, of course, unfortunate, but also quite telling.

This is because the confrontation illustrated more clearly than a thousand words what kind of people we are dealing with. First, the young adults who disrupted the broadcast behaved like kindergarteners—or at most, elementary school children—by trying to get their faces, and one particularly eager individual even their voice, onto the TV broadcast.

A moment later, after Kuronen mentioned the magic word "Hezbollah," the older Hamas terrorists attempted to steal Kuronen’s camera equipment—and managed to damage it somewhat in the process. In doing so, they demonstrated their opposition to impartial reporting from Lebanon, at a time when the entire Muslim world is spewing Hezbollah propaganda through every possible medium.

It remains to be seen how this group will fare against the attack launched by Israel. Will the soldiers of the Jewish state easily push Hezbollah further away from the border, or will the Shiite fighters—who are obviously mentally on the level of children—be able to mount effective resistance? And will the Israeli army succeed in its objective of stopping rocket fire from Lebanon into northern Israel?

The reaction of other states to Israel’s attack also remains to be seen. It’s clear that those stuck on an elementary school level are hoping for help from at least Iran.

One could also place bets on whether the ruling mullahs will dare to jeopardize their own position to help their terrorist allies. And if they do, will Israel take advantage of the situation to push Iran’s nuclear program into the history books?

Previous thoughts on the same topic:
Hassan Nasrallah Has Been Killed, but Lebanon Is Unlikely
Hezbollah Uses Human Shields While the Green-Left Looks Away
How Will Israel Benefit on the Explosions of Hezbollah's Communication Devices?

Corruption in Nigeria may affect Europe

An explosion happened in an illegal oil refining business in Nigeria. As a result, more than 100 people lost their lives. 

Oil to such illegal refineries is obtained by stealing from legitimate oil pipelines, which is a popular business among unemployed and poor Nigerians. However, it was only last February when Nigerian authorities pronounced that they would put a stop to this practice, but obviously without great success.

The explosion reminds us that incapable politicians combined with inefficient - and obviously corrupted - authorities are a serious risk for poor people. But it is not only that, but also a barrier to development of national economy.

Actually, Nigeria had a notable economic success between years 2000 and 2015, which resulted in e.g. almost tenfold increase of Gross Domestic Production. But since 2015 the GDP has reduced by about one fifth, mostly due to low oil prices and COVID-19 pandemic. 

At the same time (i.e. 2000-2020) the population size of the country has increased by 70 percent. Consequently, the rapid economic development per capita seen during the first three quarters of the time has turned to considerable recession. 

The future of Nigeria does not look very good. As oil is the basis of its economy, the green economy transition in western countries will hit the rapidly growing Nigerian population hard. In a very short time, however, the ban of Russian oil in Europe might give Nigerian leaders a window of opportunity. 

Thus, it remains to be seen, if that opportunity will be used to diversify the economic basis of the country, or will the money flow in the pockets of country´s politicians and their cronies in the form of corruption. If so, the price will be high to ordinary Nigerians.

But not only for them, but recession together with quickly growing population in Nigeria could push people to search for better life in Europe as soon as the borders closed due to COVID-19 will be opened. Therefore, corruption in Nigeria may have a major effect also for people living in the European Union in a form of increased immigration.  

Previous thoughts on the same topic:
They want to wipe out from Finland what is good for Africa

Trump is leaving Africa