Israel Releases 250 Convicted Palestinian Terrorists Amid U.S.-Brokered Ceasefire: Palestinian Authority’s “Pay-for-Slay” Policy Under Fire

Image: Jihad Watch

Following the U.S.-mediated ceasefire between Israel and Hamas that came into effect last week, Israel has released 250 Palestinian prisoners, all convicted terrorists serving at least one life sentence for murder. However, this release has ignited global outrage after revelations from Palestinian Media Watch (PMW) exposed that 160 of the freed individuals have become millionaires through the Palestinian Authority’s controversial “pay-for-slay” program.

According to PMW’s findings, the Palestinian Authority (P.A.) had paid these individuals more than 1 million shekels each during their imprisonment, as part of a state-funded policy that financially rewards those convicted of attacks against Israelis. Collectively, the 160 former inmates received a staggering 229.5 million shekels (approximately $70 million). The remaining 90 prisoners, though having received lesser sums, were also significant beneficiaries of this system.

PMW clarified that this figure does not account for additional benefits paid to the families of the convicts, meaning the total financial support could be far higher. The watchdog emphasized that this payment structure sends a disturbing message—“The Palestinian Authority ensures that it very much pays to slay.”

Criticism of Western Support and PA Legitimacy

PMW founder and director Itamar Marcus, in a statement to the Jewish News Syndicate (JNS), condemned the policy, asserting that “any government that spends hundreds of millions of dollars annually rewarding terrorists should be designated for what it is—a terror organization.” Marcus also criticized the international community’s complacency, highlighting that despite the P.A.’s open glorification of violence, it continues to receive broad diplomatic legitimacy and substantial financial assistance from Western nations.

He further noted that European Union (EU) funding indirectly sustains the “pay-for-slay” program. “Instead of cutting ties, the EU and many European countries partner with the P.A. by paying salaries to its civil servants. This financial arrangement effectively frees up the P.A.’s other funds to pay monthly stipends to imprisoned terrorists,” Marcus explained. “This is not legitimate foreign aid—it’s complicity in terror.”

The Broader Implications

The revelations have reignited debates about the accountability of the Palestinian Authority and the ethics of international aid that fails to ensure transparency in fund allocation. Critics argue that continuing to channel funds without oversight effectively sustains terrorism and undermines peace efforts.

As the ceasefire brings temporary calm to the region, this controversy underscores the deep-rooted ideological and structural challenges that persist in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict—where violence, financial incentives, and political hypocrisy continue to blur the lines between governance and extremism.

(This Article was originally published by Jihad Watch)