Australian probe finds no evidence that World Vision diverted aid money to Hamas

An investigation conducted by the Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) has found no evidence that the international Christian charity World Vision had diverted aid money to Islamic militant group Hamas.

The Australian government suspended the funding for World Vision last year after Mohammed el-Halabi, the charity's senior official in the Gaza Strip, was accused by the Israeli government of diverting millions of dollars to support Hamas.

"The review uncovered nothing to suggest any diversion of government funds," DFAT announced on Tuesday, according to Jewish Telegraphic Agency.

World Vision has also launched an independent review of its operations to determine if any of its funds had been funneled to the militant group.

"So far, our own ongoing forensic audit has not uncovered any money subverted and to hear DFAT say their investigation hasn't either is consistent and is very good news," World Vision chief advocate Tim Costello told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.

Halabi, who was arrested in June last year while he was headed to Gaza from Israel, rejected the plea deal offered by Israeli authorities and pleaded not guilty to all charges. The aid worker has accused the authorities of torturing him while he was in custody, and several witnesses presented by the prosecution have also accused Israeli intelligence officers of torturing them during interrogation.

World Vision has continued supporting Halabi, saying he is a "trusted employee" and that they have found no evidence that any money had been diverted.

Halabi has been accused of diverting over $7 million a year to Hamas. However, World Vision disputed the claim, saying that its total operating budget in the region over the past 10 years was $22.5 million, which makes the alleged diverted amount of nearly $50 million "hard to reconcile."

Costello expressed his hope that the Israeli authorities will take notice of DFAT's findings. "I think the charges certainly talked about diversion of funds so I think this is relevant," he said.

DFAT said that Australia's funding for World Vision in Gaza would remain suspended until the government can review the results of Halabi's trial as well as the investigation being conducted by the charity. The Australian government has provided more than $3 million in aid to World Vision over the past three years.