US Targets Hamas Funding with New Sanctions... Biden Says "Working for Ceasefire"

Ministry of Finance Imposes New Sanctions on Hamas Front Charity Organization

The U.S. Department of the Treasury announced new sanctions targeting the financial networks of the Palestinian armed group Hamas on the first anniversary of the Gaza war. President Joe Biden mourned the victims of the Gaza war and called for a ceasefire.

On the 7th (local time), the Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) announced sanctions against three individuals, including Adel Dugman, who played a role in Hamas's international financial support, one disguised charity organization, and one financial institution controlled by Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

The Treasury also added nine entities to the sanctions list, including Hamid Al Ahmar, who has supported Hamas, and his business, Al Ahmar Trading Group.

This marks the eighth time the U.S. has announced sanctions targeting Hamas's financial networks since the war between Israel and Hamas began. Being designated under U.S. sanctions results in the freezing of assets within the U.S. and prohibits transactions with U.S. persons.

The Treasury highlighted that Hamas has been raising funds through false charity organizations that falsely claim to assist civilians in the Gaza Strip. As of early this year, Hamas was found to be raising $10 million per month through disguised charity donations.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen emphasized, "Now, one year after Hamas's brutal terrorist attacks, the Treasury will continuously degrade Hamas and its Iranian proxies' ability to finance operations and carry out further acts of violence."

President Biden called for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and mourned the victims on the same day.

In a statement, President Biden said, "We will not cease efforts to reach a ceasefire agreement to end this war," adding, "Both Israelis and Palestinians have the right to live in security, dignity, and peace." He also attended a Jewish candle-lighting ceremony at the White House to honor the victims of the terrorist attacks, accompanied by his wife, Jill Biden.

On October 7 last year, Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel, killing over 1,200 civilians and taking more than 250 hostages. The war has continued for over a year as Israel retaliated to eliminate Hamas.