|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
The U.S. Department of the Treasury announced on Thursday that it had sanctioned four organizations accused of funneling money to the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas.
American officials said the groups operated under the cover of charitable activity while directing funds that supported Hamas’ terrorist operations.
According to the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), Hamas raises overseas funds through networks of nonprofit organizations that move money to local charities in Gaza that it can access and control.
Three of the sanctioned organizations operate in Turkey, including Ghazi Destek Dernegi, Hayat Yolu, and the Palestinian White Hands Assistance and Solidarity Association. U.S. officials also identified Hayat Yolu as a financial and operational hub linked to the Muslim Brotherhood.
The fourth organization, Indonesia-based Komite Nasional Untuk Rakyat Palestina (KNRP), funded projects in Gaza that directly benefited Hamas. Treasury officials cited internal Hamas documents showing the group coordinated with Hamas to finance and distribute supplies intended for its operatives.
“Hamas continues to finance its military wing by exploiting sham charities to support terrorist operations,” said U.S. Secretary of the Treaury Scott Bessent. “The Treasury Department will not allow Hamas to misuse the charitable sector for its violent aims, and we will continue to target these networks wherever they operate.”
The sanctions fall under Executive Order 13224, a counterterrorism authority that blocks assets belonging to designated entities. The order also prohibits U.S. individuals and organizations from conducting transactions with the designated groups.
The U.S. has designated Hamas as a terrorist organization since 2001. American authorities say at least 30 charities have faced sanctions for financing Hamas.
Take Action
CAM has launched Report It — a secure app to report antisemitic incidents anonymously and in real time. Don’t stay silent — download it today on the Apple Store or Google Play. See it. Report it. Stop it. Together, we can fight this hate.
