US Imposing Sanctions On Charity Allegedly Galang Funds For Hamas

UNSPLASH/Chris Hardy ILLUSTRATION

JAKARTA - The United States (US) has imposed sanctions on Hamas' international fundraising network. The US said the network played an important role in raising external funds for Palestinian militant groups.

The US Treasury Department said it imposed sanctions on three people and what it called a fake charity suspected of supporting Hamas' international finance, as well as at Bank Al-Intaj in Gaza, which it calls a group-controlled charity.

The targets were an old Hamas supporter, a Yemeni citizen who lives in Turkey, and nine businesses, the Treasury said.

"As we commemorate one year since Hamas' brutal terrorist attack, the Treasury Department will continue to undermine the ability of Hamas and other Iranian proxies that destabilize their operations and commit additional acts of violence," Finance Minister Janet Yellen said.

"The Ministry of Finance will use all the tools we have to hold Hamas and its supporters accountable, including those who are trying to exploit the situation to get additional sources of income," he added.

In Hamas attacks on Israeli cities and kibbutz villages near the Gaza border last year, militants led by Hamas killed about 1,200 people and held about 250 people hostage back to Gaza, according to Israeli data.

Israel's massive loss of security has left today the deadliest day for Jews since the Nazi Holocaust, destroying the sense of security of many citizens and making their trust in its leaders further slump.

Hamas attacks sparked an Israeli attack on Gaza that has razed the densely populated enclave and killed nearly 42,000 people, Palestinian health authorities said.

Hamas has exploited the suffering in Gaza to ask for funds through fakes and charities that false claims to help civilians in Gaza,

It is suspected that the group may have received as much as 10 million dollars a month through these donations.

The Treasury Department said Hamas considered Europe as the main source of fundraising.

Actions took on Monday targeted an Italian-based Hamas member, who the Treasury Department said formed the Solidarity Charity Association for the Palestinian People, who was accused of helping fund Hamas' military wing.

Also targeted was a senior Hamas representative in Germany and a Hamas representative who was responsible for the group's activities in Austria.