US sanctions Hamas Leaders in Turkey, Gaza amid escalating conflict

The Biden administration imposed fresh sanctions on Hamas on Tuesday, targeting six leaders accused of orchestrating fundraising and weapon smuggling operations into Gaza. The move is part of ongoing U.S. efforts to disrupt the militia’s financial and logistical networks amid the Israel-Hamas war.

“Treasury remains committed to disrupting Hamas’s efforts to secure additional revenue and holding those who facilitate the group’s terrorist activities to account,” said Bradley Smith, Treasury’s under secretary for terrorism and financial intelligence.

Three of the sanctioned leaders are based in Turkey, accused of funneling funds to Hamas in Gaza. Among them is Abd al-Rahman Ismail Ghanimat, a longtime operative of Hamas’ military wing, Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades. Ghanimat, previously imprisoned for the 1997 Tel Aviv café bombing that killed three people and injured 48, was released in the 2011 Shalit prisoner exchange.

The other Turkey-based figures, Musa Daud Muhammad Akari and Salama Mari, were also convicted of deadly attacks on Israeli targets and later freed in the same prisoner swap.

In Gaza, the sanctions target spokesman Ghazi Hamad, who the Treasury accuses of overseeing border smuggling operations critical for Hamas’ extensive tunnel network. Mohammad Nazzal, a senior figure in Hamas’ international relations council, and Basem Naim, a representative in Hamas’ global engagements, were also included.

“There is no distinction between Hamas’ so-called military wing and its political leadership,” said State Department spokesman Matthew Miller. “We will continue to use the tools at our disposal to target those who perpetuate Hamas’ destabilizing activities.”

This ninth round of sanctions since Hamas’ October 7 attack on Israel highlights the U.S. strategy of isolating the group internationally. The war, now extending to Lebanon with clashes involving Hezbollah, has claimed tens of thousands of lives, including nearly 44,000 in Gaza, according to its Hamas-run health ministry.

The sanctions, which freeze the assets of those named and bar U.S. persons from engaging in business with them, follow Monday’s punitive measures against two illegal entities in the West Bank.