The U.S. Sanctions 10 Individuals and Entities Linked to Hamas Militants

The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) of the U.S. Treasury Department imposed sanctions on Wednesday, October 18, against 10 key members, operatives, and financial facilitators of Hamas in the Gaza Strip, as well as in Sudan, Turkey, Algeria, and Qatar. According to the U.S. Treasury statement, this action targets members responsible for a secret investment portfolio of Hamas in Gaza, a financial facilitator based in Qatar with close ties to the Islamic Republic of Iran, a senior Hamas commander, and a virtual exchange based in Gaza and its operator. The Treasury Department added that Tuesday's action is part of the ongoing U.S. efforts to eradicate Hamas's revenue sources in the West Bank and Gaza and across the region, conducted 'in close coordination with allies and regional partners.' Janet Yellen, the U.S. Treasury Secretary, stated that following the 'brutal massacre' of Israeli citizens, including children, Washington is targeting Hamas's financial supporters and facilitators with 'swift and decisive' action. She emphasized the U.S.'s long history of disrupting terrorist financing networks, stating, 'We will not hesitate to use our tools against Hamas. We will continue to take all necessary steps to deprive Hamas terrorists of their ability to raise and use money for brutal and terrorist acts against the people of Israel.' The U.S. Treasury statement noted that it has targeted around 1,000 individuals and entities linked to 'terrorism and the financing of terrorism by the Islamic Republic and its proxy groups including Hamas, Hezbollah, and other Iran-aligned terrorist groups in the region.' According to this statement, Hamas, in addition to receiving financial aid from the Islamic Republic of Iran, has made investments worth hundreds of millions of dollars in countries such as Sudan, Algeria, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, and others. The names of the sanctioned individuals include Moussa Mohammed Salim Doudin, Abd al-Baset Hamza al-Ahsan Mohammed Khair, Amer Kamal Sharif al-Shawa, Ahmad Saado Jahlab, Ayman Ahmad al-Dweik, Walid Mohammed Mustafa Jadallah, Mohammed Ahmad Abd al-Daem Nasrallah, Ayman Nawaf, and Ahmad al-Aqad. According to this statement, Mohammed Ahmad Abd al-Daem Nasrallah is a Hamas operative in Qatar who has close ties to the Islamic Republic of Iran and has transferred tens of millions of dollars in financial aid to Hamas, especially to its military wing, the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades. The U.S. President's trip to Israel was influenced by the explosion at a hospital in Gaza. Netanyahu expressed gratitude to Biden: the U.S. has supported Israel during this difficult time. Biden, in a meeting with Netanyahu, stated that it seems the explosion at the al-Ahli hospital was the work of the opposing side. Schultz in Tel Aviv: Germany stands with and supports the 'Jewish nation'; Netanyahu: Hamas is the new Nazi.