JERUSALEM - An expert on Palestinian society has claimed that many of the recently released convicted Palestinian terrorists, as part of a hostage swap with the terrorist group Hamas, could receive funding from the United States via the Palestinian Authority. Itamar Marcus, the director of Israeli-based organization Palestinian Media Watch (PMW), revealed that the Palestinian Authority's budget is boosted by $600 million from American and European funds. This funding reportedly enables the Palestinian Authority to pay salaries to imprisoned terrorists and the families of "martyrs," amounting to $300 million annually.

Marcus emphasized that the Palestinian Authority would not be able to sustain these payments without the financial support from the U.S. and Europe, stating that they are "absolutely facilitating the payment" and it is a case of "willful blindness." He highlighted that every terrorist, once imprisoned, receives a salary from the Palestinian Authority, as mandated by Palestinian law. Prisoners who serve more than five years qualify for lifelong monthly payments.

These revelations come after a lawsuit filed in January by victims of terrorism and Rep. Ronny Jackson, R-Texas, alleged that the Biden administration had pumped over half a billion U.S. taxpayer dollars into the Palestinian Authority without proper verification that the funds were not supporting terrorism.

Under the Palestinian Authority's "pay for slay" program, the families of convicted Palestinians were provided with stipends while their family members were incarcerated. As part of the recent prisoner exchange, Palestinian terrorists involved in attacks against Israelis have been released. Shurouq Dweiyat, who attempted to stab two Jews in Jerusalem's Old City, and Amani Al-Hashim, who tried to run over Israeli security forces with her car before brandishing a knife, are among the released terrorists who will receive monthly payments ranging from approximately $535 to $668 for residents of Jerusalem.

Israeli Gen. Yossi Kuperwasser expressed concerns that many of the released Palestinians with sentences for more than five years would likely return to terrorism. He stated that past experience indicated their re-entry into terrorist activities.

It is reported that over 7,500 previously released Palestinian prisoners who served more than a five-year prison term have been receiving monthly salaries, according to Palestinian media. The Israeli government and counterterrorism experts have long accused the Palestinian Authority of encouraging terrorism with its "pay for slay" program.

Palestinian affairs analyst Khaled Abu Toameh suggested that the release of Palestinian prisoners could embolden others to carry out attacks against Israel, knowing that they might be released in future prisoner exchange deals. Abu Toameh also noted that the release would enhance Hamas' popularity and influence in the West Bank, as evidenced by the celebrations held by Palestinians with Hamas flags and slogans praising the group's leaders and military wing.

Efforts to address Hamas' financing and crack down on terror finance have become an urgent priority for counterterrorism officials in Israel, the U.S., and Europe following the recent massacre on October 7, allegedly triggered by Hamas' commander Mohamed Deif. Money in the region is highly fungible and prone to being used for terrorist activities, as per security officials.

In 2018, Congress passed the Taylor Force Act in protest, aimed at cutting economic aid to the Palestinian Authority until it ends the controversial payment policy. Israel has also implemented a similar law, withholding taxes collected on behalf of the Palestinian Authority. The Taylor Force Act is named after West Point graduate Taylor Force, who was brutally stabbed to death by a Palestinian terrorist during his visit to Israel in 2016.

Fox News Digital reached out to the U.S. State Department for a comment regarding the allegations of indirect funding for terrorists through the Palestinian Authority's disbursement, but no response has been received at the time of publication.

As counterterrorism officials work to mitigate the financing of Hamas, the recent prisoner exchange and the continued Palestinian Authority payments to convicted terrorists raise significant concerns about the potential implications for regional security and stability. The situation calls for increased scrutiny and international cooperation to ensure that funds intended for the Palestinian Authority are not facilitating terrorism.