UK, US impose fresh sanctions on Hamas officials

By Aysu Bicer

LONDON (AA) - The UK and US on Wednesday announced a second round of sanctions against key leaders and financiers associated with Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ).

According to an official statement, coordinated "sanctions aim to isolate Hamas through freezing assets and imposing travel bans."

Among the seven individuals facing sanctions is Mahmoud Zahar, co-founder of Hamas, and Ali Baraka, Hamas' head of external relations, who publicly defended the Oct. 7 attacks and justified the taking of hostages.

The sanctions also extend to a leader of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, another group involved in the attacks.

"Hamas can have no future in Gaza. Today’s sanctions on Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad will continue to cut off their access to funding and isolate them further," said Foreign Secretary David Cameron.

"We will continue to work with partners to reach a long-term political solution so that Israelis and Palestinians can live in peace," he added.

Israel has bombarded the Gaza Strip from the air and land, imposed a siege, and mounted a ground offensive in the wake of a cross-border attack by Hamas on Oct. 7.

At least 18,608 Palestinians have been killed and 50,594 injured in the Israeli onslaught since then, according to Gaza’s health authorities.

The Israeli death toll from the Hamas attack stands at 1,200, while around 139 hostages remain in captivity, according to official figures.

The UN General Assembly on Tuesday voted overwhelmingly to demand a humanitarian cease-fire in Gaza. There were 153 votes in favor, 10 against and 23 abstentions.