Key facts
- The U.S. Treasury Department sanctioned a network it says financed Hamas.
- The network allegedly moved more than $2 million to Hamas.
- Saleem Abdallah Saleem al-Zaq, a deputy in Hamas's military wing, was among those sanctioned.
- Six Gaza-based organizations that claim to provide medical care but support Hamas's military wing were targeted.
- The Popular Conference for Palestinians Abroad was also targeted for its alleged clandestine control by Hamas.
The United States has imposed additional sanctions on Hamas's financial network, targeting individuals and entities accused of facilitating the transfer of funds to the Palestinian militant group. The Treasury Department announced on Friday that the sanctions aim to disrupt a multi-year financing architecture that moved more than $2 million to Hamas through deceptive charitable fronts and cryptocurrency channels.
Among those sanctioned is Saleem Abdallah Saleem al-Zaq, identified as a deputy in Hamas's military wing based in Gaza. According to the Treasury, he oversees a financial network that utilized money services businesses and cryptocurrency wallets to transfer significant funds to the Hamas Al-Qassam Brigades.
Further actions were taken against six Gaza-based organizations that allegedly masquerade as providers of medical care to Palestinian civilians but, in reality, support Hamas's military wing, the Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades. These organizations, including Waed Society Gaza, Al-Nur Society Gaza, Qawafil Society Gaza, Al-Falah Society Gaza, Merciful Hands Gaza, and Al-Salameh Society Gaza, are described as being organized by and integrated into Hamas's military wing. Documentary evidence reportedly captured from Hamas offices indicates that members of Hamas's internal security forces are formally assigned to work within these charities.
Additionally, the Treasury targeted the Popular Conference for Palestinians Abroad, an organization that purports to represent Palestinians but is alleged to be clandestinely controlled by Hamas and has backed flotillas attempting to reach Gaza. Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence John K. Hurley stated that Hamas exploits the financial system to fund terrorist operations, showing a disregard for the welfare of the Palestinian people.