The Charity Commission has opened an investigation into a humanitarian aid charity over concerns that it solicited funds through a news agency that promotes Hamas.

The regulator said it began engaging with the World Aid Convoy, which provides relief to victims of war and natural disaster, in March, after concerns were raised that funds were being solicited for the charity through Gaza Now – a news agency that “promotes Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad”, according to the commission.

The concerns were related to posts shared on Telegram, a social media and private messaging platform, where the charity was mentioned in posts shared on the ‘Gaza Now’ and ‘Gaza Now in English’ channels, the regulator said.

The commission said Gaza Now and its founder had since been subject to a full asset freeze by the UK government because it had grounds to suspect they were involved in terrorism.

“Any association between charities and terrorism or extremism is a very serious regulatory concern,” the regulator said. 

“Such a link cannot be in the best interests of any charity and is damaging to public trust and confidence in the sector.”

The regulator said it escalated its concerns to a statutory inquiry in May, after initial engagement with the trustees “gave rise to further concerns about the charity’s management and governance”.

The commission said its inquiry would seek to determine what, if any, links there are between the charity and Gaza Now, if any funds have been provided to Gaza Now, either directly or via partners, and whether these funds can be fully accounted for.

In April, the regulator opened an inquiry into fundraising activity by the business owner Aozma Sultana, who was sanctioned by the UK government after suspected involvement in providing financial support for Gaza Now. 

The World Aid Convoy recorded an income of £86,458 in the year to the end of February 2023, according to its most recent accounts filed with the commission.

The charity has not responded to Third Sector’s request for comment.