UK, US announce sanctions to 'disrupt' financial networks of Hamas

By Aysu Bicer

LONDON (AA) — The UK and US announced a new round of coordinated sanctions on Monday targeting key figures and entities involved in the leadership and financial operations of Palestinian resistance group Hamas.

Five key figures and an entity involved in the leadership and financial networks of Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) were targeted under the UK's new sanctions, said an official statement by the British Foreign Office.

"These sanctions send a clear message to Hamas — the UK and our partners are committed to ensuring there is no hiding place for those financing terrorist activities," UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron said after the decision.

"To reach a sustainable ceasefire in Gaza, Hamas can no longer be in power and able to threaten Israel. By disrupting the financial networks which sustain Hamas’ operation, including from Iran, these sanctions support that crucial aim," he added.

Those subject to UK asset freezes and targeted arms embargoes against Hamas now include Zuheir Shamlakh, Ahmed Sharif Abdallah Odeh, Ismail Barhoum, Hassan Al-Wardian, and Jamil Yusuf Ahmad Aliyan.

In addition to asset freezes and arms embargoes, the individuals were subjected to a travel ban, preventing them from entering the UK.

Israel launched a deadly offensive on the Gaza Strip on Oct. 7, killing at least 25,295 Palestinians and injuring 63,000. Nearly 1,200 Israelis are believed to have been killed in the Hamas attack.

The Israeli offensive, which following a cross-border attack by Hamas, has left 85% of Gaza’s population internally displaced amid acute shortages of food, clean water and medicine, while 60% of the enclave’s infrastructure has been damaged or destroyed, according to the UN.