US sanctions Hamas, movement denounces 'criminal act'
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The United States placed numerous sanctions on Hamas, prompting the movement to denounce said action and accuse Washington of serving the Israeli occupation.
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US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, accompanied by Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, speaks during a news conference in Philadelphia, on July 30, 2024 (AP).
The US Department of the Treasury announced sanctions on Tuesday targeting six leaders of the Palestinian movement Hamas, citing their roles in supporting the organization's fundraising and arms acquisition efforts.
The sanctions, implemented by the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), apply to senior Hamas officials, including representatives abroad and a high-ranking member of its military wing, the al-Qassam Brigades.
Hamas issued a strong condemnation of the US Treasury Department's decision to sanction several of its leaders, denouncing the move as a "criminal act" and accusing the US of "siding with the fascist occupation forces."
In a statement, Hamas criticized the US Treasury's actions, saying, "We reject the Treasury's statement, which places a number of our leaders on the sanctions list and labels our people's resistance as terrorism."
The movement argued that the sanctions rely on "misleading and false information aimed at tarnishing the image of Hamas leadership, who are committed to serving their people and defending their cause."
US accomplice in occupation
Hamas further accused the outgoing US administration of continuing its antagonistic stance against the rights of the Palestinian people, who, it stated, "are enduring the most brutal occupation in history."
Among those sanctioned is Abdel Rahman Ghanimat, described by the US Treasury as a long-time military member of Hamas residing in Turkey, who allegedly participated in various operations, including a 1997 bombing in Tel Aviv.
Other leaders affected by the sanctions include Hamas political bureau members Mohammad Nazzal, Basem Naim, and Ghazi Hamad, as well as officials Mohammad Akari and Salama Merhi, also based in Turkey.
The Treasury's statement accused Hamas of relying on key representatives abroad to coordinate the flow of funds, weapons, and essential materials to Gaza, including construction supplies for tunnel building.
Under these sanctions, any assets or interests of the individuals or their affiliated entities within the United States are frozen, and US persons are prohibited from engaging in transactions with them.
Legal snowball?
Last month, the US imposed additional financial sanctions on three individuals, including Yemeni businessman Hamid Abdullah Hussein al-Ahmar, accused of "financing Hamas activities."
Al-Ahmar, who resides in Turkey, allegedly plays a prominent role in Hamas's secret investment portfolio, reportedly valued at $500 million at its peak, which the US claims enabled Hamas leaders to "live in luxury".
The Treasury statement also noted that al-Ahmar has led the Hamas-affiliated charity al-Quds International Foundation, based in Lebanon, since 2013.
Moreover, back in September, the US Justice Department took an unsurprising action by charging prominent Palestinian Resistance figures, notably then-Hamas Political Bureau chief, Yahya Sinwar, with a hefty array of charges—conspiracy to support a "foreign terrorist organization that resulted in death, conspiracy to murder US nationals, and conspiracy to finance terrorism."
The DOJ has also added Iran and Hezbollah to the list for allegedly providing Hamas with cash, rockets, and other military supplies.
"Israel" has committed atrocities in Gaza, and the ICC is anticipated to file arrest warrants for its leaders for genocide in the Strip.
The complaint was initially filed under seal in February to allow time for the US to attempt to apprehend then-Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh and other defendants. However, it was unsealed on Tuesday following Haniyeh's martyrdom in July and other regional developments that reduced the necessity for confidentiality, according to the Justice Department.
It is worth noting that "Israel" assassinated Haniyeh by an airstrike on his residence in Tehran.
“The charges unsealed today are just one part of our effort to target every aspect of Hamas’ operations,” Attorney General Merrick Garland said in a video statement. “These actions will not be our last.”
