The European Union Sanctions Military Branches of Hamas and Islamic Jihad for 'Sexual and Gender-Based Violence' in Attacks on Israel

On Friday, April 12, the European Union placed the military branches and special forces of Hamas and the military branch of Palestinian Islamic Jihad on its human rights sanctions list due to their responsibility for widespread sexual and gender-based violence during the attacks on Israel on October 6, 2023. EU member states announced that the Qassam Brigades, Al-Quds Brigades, and Hamas's 'elite forces' would face asset freezes and travel bans to the EU. Currently, providing funds to them directly or indirectly is also prohibited. Previously, Hamas and Islamic Jihad had been designated as terrorist organizations by the EU. Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz welcomed this decision on the platform 'X', stating: 'This is a clear message. Those who commit murder, rape, burning, abuse of the bodies of infants, girls, women, and men, and crimes against humanity will pay the price.' Pramila Patten, the UN Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict, stated in a report last month that there is substantial evidence of 'sexual violence' by Hamas forces during the October 6 attack on Israel. Based on first-hand reports from hostages released from Hamas captivity, she said: 'There is clear and compelling evidence that some women and children were subjected to sexual violence, including rape and sexual torture, during their captivity.' Concurrently with the EU sanctions, the United States also imposed sanctions on the leaders of Hamas's drone and cyber units, as well as the spokesperson for the group, who are based in Gaza and Lebanon. The US sanctions targeted Huzaifa Samer Abdullah al-Kahlout, known as 'Abu Ubaida', who has been the spokesperson for the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, Hamas's military wing in Gaza, since at least 2007. The sanctions also targeted William Abu Shab, commander of the northern unit based in Lebanon, his assistant Bara Hassan Farhat, and Khalil Muhammad Azam, a Hamas intelligence officer. According to a statement from the US Treasury Department, this unit manages the development and production of automatic 120mm mortar systems and mobile launchers for 'Grad' rocket launchers and reconnaissance and suicide drones. Brian Nelson, the Deputy Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, stated that the joint action by the US and the EU enhances collective focus on disrupting Hamas's ability to carry out further attacks, including through cyber warfare and drone production. Matthew Miller, spokesperson for the US State Department, also stated: 'Members of the terrorist group Hamas use information warfare and drones to facilitate violence on various fronts. The United States, in coordination with its international partners, is taking action against Hamas by targeting four leaders of the cyber and drone operations of this terrorist group based in Gaza and Lebanon.' He added that the United States will continue to counter Hamas's destabilizing efforts to carry out terrorist attacks and disrupt their activities wherever they may be, 'including in cyberspace.' Following the October 6 terrorist attack by Hamas on Israel, which resulted in the deaths of 1,200 people and the hostage-taking of over 250 others, Israel launched an offensive against Gaza aimed at destroying this Islamist group supported by the Islamic Republic and freeing the hostages. Hamas officials have repeatedly emphasized that they would carry out a similar attack again if capable. The United States, the United Kingdom, the European Union, Japan, Israel, and several other countries have designated Hamas as a terrorist organization. The US has sanctioned the leaders of Hamas's 'cyber and drone' units. A Lebanese national accused of transferring money from the Islamic Republic to Hamas was killed. A UN special rapporteur on human rights accused Israel of 'genocide.'