GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip — Hamas leader Khalil al-Haya said in a statement Aug. 6 that Hamas had launched a donation campaign in the Gaza Strip to support Palestinian refugees in Lebanon and collected $100,000 from Gaza’s inhabitants. 

He said the money will soon be sent to Lebanon and praised Gaza’s citizens for being generous and loyal to their roots despite the blockade and tough circumstances. Haya also said Hamas is launching a campaign to support the inhabitants of Wadi al-Homs in East Jerusalem after Israel destroyed 100 apartments there in July.

While some Gazans praised the campaign to help Palestinian refugees in Lebanon, others wondered about its timing given the tough circumstances Gaza residents are living under. Some residents said that the Gaza Strip should be the priority when it comes to support campaigns and that Hamas should alleviate citizens’ suffering first and foremost.

Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem told Al-Monitor that Hamas’ main aim behind the campaign was to show Palestinian unity all over the world and to keep the issues of Palestinian refugees, especially in Lebanon after recent measures pertaining to foreign workers were taken.