US sanctions senior Hamas officials to cut off terror funding, warns Turkey over hosting leaders
US continues to push for a ceasefire in Gaza and release of all Israeli hostages
The United States imposed economic sanctions on multiple senior Hamas officials on Tuesday, according to the U.S. Treasury Department.
Sanctions were placed to limit the terrorist organization’s ability to fundraise, as the U.S. continues to seek a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of the Israeli hostages who were abducted on Oct. 7, 2023.
These sanctions target six Hamas representatives living abroad, including a top commander and several leaders focused on fundraising efforts to continue arming and providing weapons smuggled into the Gaza Strip.
Bradley Smith, the acting Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, stated, “Hamas continues to rely on key officials who seemingly maintain legitimate, public-facing roles within the group, yet who facilitate their terrorist activities, represent their interests abroad, and coordinate the transfer of money and goods into Gaza…Treasury remains committed to disrupting Hamas’ efforts to secure additional revenue and holding those who facilitate the group’s terrorist activities to account."
Abd al-Rahman Ismail and al-Rahman Ghanimat are among the leaders actively targeted. Ghanimat, a member of Hamas' military wing currently based in Turkey, is accused of involvement in numerous terrorist attacks, according to the U.S. Treasury Department.
Two additional Hamas leaders based in Turkey have been sanctioned, along with a Gaza-based operative involved in engagements with Russia. Another sanctioned individual holds public authority for Hamas and has overseen illegal crossings at the Gaza border.
On Monday, the United States warned Turkey about hosting the Hamas leaders, highlighting that Washington believes leaders of the terrorist organization should not be allowed to live safely abroad.
When asked about Hamas leaders who had recently moved from Qatar to Turkey, the spokesperson for the U.S. State Department, Matthew Miller, neither confirmed nor denied the reports. However, he emphasized that Washington is making it clear to the Turkish government that “business as usual” with Hamas can no longer be tolerated.
The All Israel News Staff is a team of journalists in Israel.
