Hamas abducts major Gazan merchant, demands millions in ransom
Fadi a-Dayeb was forced to pay millions of shekels for his freedom, claims a now-deleted Facebook post.
Fadi a-Dayeb, one of Gaza’s richest traders, was kidnapped and held for ransom by Hamas, according to a now-deleted Facebook post reviewed by KAN on Sunday.
Dayeb was forced to pay millions of shekels for his freedom, the message claims.
“Hamas transfers all its money to Turkey. They know it is a safe place for their leaders, they base their future there,” a Gazan source told KAN.
A resident of Shajaiyah in eastern Gaza City, Dayeb reportedly continued to maintain his sales despite the war thanks to continued imports from Israel. Although it primarily imports food, it has been reported to also be a successful distributor of electronics, fuel and telephones.
Paying Gazan clan leaders
To clear his name and attempt to maintain relations while the future ruling powers in the Gaza Strip remain uncertain, he donated a total of $200,000 to the heads of different Gazan family clans.
Dayeb’s attempt to reconcile with clan leaders on the other side of the Gaza Strip was unsuccessful, as residents of the Palestinian territory told KAN they were angry at how Dayeb took advantage of the conflict for profit.
“The families are not ready to accept the money because it was Fadi a-Dayeb who took advantage of the difficult situation of the war,” a source told KAN. “He was importing goods from Israelis and Hamas was using it to impose taxes on people. He took advantage of the situation and did not side with Gazans, he only stood with Hamas and made millions.
“People will never forget Hamas and the traders who profited from them during the war, and they will never forget the thieves who robbed them during the war.”
