About a month before Hamas launched its October 7 attack, Israel requested that Qatar increase the amount of funds it transfers to Hamas in Gaza, following the group's threats of violent escalation, the Israeli daily Yedioth Ahronoth reported early on Friday.

The request, made in September, was conveyed to Qatar's envoy to Gaza, Mohammed al-Emadi, on behalf of the government by the former head of the Shin Bet security service's Southern District, Israel's Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories and other Israeli representatives. The meeting took place at Jerusalem hotel, according to the report.

The report added that about a month before the meeting, another senior Qatari official met with former Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar in Gaza to prepare for al-Emadi's talks with Israeli officials. Upon leaving the Strip, Qatar informed Israel that Hamas was seeking to maintain stability.