US and UK sanctions target a network financing Hamas
A Hamas leader asserts that the targeted institutions have no connection with the movement, considering the decision another proof of American partnership in the war against the Palestinian people
The United States and Britain imposed sanctions today, Wednesday, on what the US Treasury Department described as a “fundraising network” linked to the Palestinian Islamic resistance movement ‘Hamas‘.
The statement added that the sanctions target two individuals and three entities described as key financial intermediaries involved in fundraising for the Hamas movement, classified as a terrorist group by both countries.
Brian Nelson, Treasury Deputy Secretary, said in the statement, “The Treasury Department remains committed to weakening Hamas‘ ability to finance its terrorist activities, and this includes electronic fundraising campaigns aimed at transferring money directly to the group.”
The statement emphasized, “This action is taken in cooperation with the UK’s Office of External Sanctions Implementation, which implements decisions on the same targets.”
Sami Abu Zuhri, a Hamas leader, denied any connection between the movement and the entities and individuals designated by the United States and Britain, stating that “these institutions have no connection with the movement and that the decision is another proof of American partnership in the war against the Palestinian people.”
These measures target the organization “Gaza Now,” which the Treasury Department said began fundraising online after a Hamas attack.
This is the fourth coordinated sanction between the United States and Britain targeting fundraising efforts for Hamas since October 7.
US-UK sanctions in November targeted four Hamas leaders, including the movement’s leader in the Gaza Strip, Yahya Sinwar, and the Islamic Jihad representative in Iran, Nasser Abu Sharif, as well as a Hamas leader, Akram al-Ajouri, and a financial services company in Lebanon suspected of transferring funds between Hamas and Tehran.
In December, sanctions targeted Mahmoud al-Zahar, one of the founders of Hamas, as well as Hamas officials residing in Lebanon and several Lebanese and Algerian businessmen for their financial support to Hamas.
The United States seeks to block the funding sources of the Palestinian Islamic resistance movement, estimating Hamas‘ global assets in hundreds of millions of dollars.
Israel claims that Hamas fighters killed 1200 people in an October attack and still hold more than 130 hostages in Gaza. Gaza’s Health Ministry, controlled by Hamas, said today Wednesday that more than 32,000 Palestinians were killed in the war on Gaza.
