Washington: Al-Sudania News Reports
The United States announced new sanctions today targeting the financial infrastructure of Hamas and the Muslim Brotherhood, as part of Washington’s efforts to dismantle cross-border terrorism financing networks.State Department Spokesperson Thomas “Tommy” Pigott said the “Muslim Brotherhood and Hamas direct front organizations that move funds across jurisdictions to support terrorism.” He added that today’s action designates a senior UK-based Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood official and three individuals and three entities, all resident outside Egypt, that have provided material support to Hamas.Pigott stated that the measure “exposes Muslim Brotherhood affiliates and Hamas-directed front organizations that use charitable facades and underground networks to disguise and move funds in support of terrorism.” He stressed that “the United States is committed to dismantling the financial infrastructure that sustains Hamas and the Muslim Brotherhood, as described in the United States Counterterrorism Strategy.”U.S. Senior Advisor for Arab and African Affairs Massad Boulos said the action is being taken pursuant to counterterrorism authority under Executive Order 13224, as amended. Boulos affirmed that Washington will continue working with international partners to track money flows linked to terrorist organizations and cut off their sources of funding.According to the U.S. Department of the Treasury, the targeted network relies on fundraising under the guise of relief and charitable work, then moving the money through shell companies and accounts in multiple countries to evade oversight. Washington says these mechanisms have enabled Hamas to finance its military activities and operations in Gaza and abroad.The State Department confirmed the sanctions include freezing any U.S.-based assets of those designated, prohibiting Americans from dealing with them, and also covering any entities owned 50% or more by them. Washington urged countries, banks, and financial institutions to exercise caution in dealings with networks linked to the Brotherhood and Hamas.Pigott concluded by emphasizing that the step is part of a broader approach to confront groups that exploit charity as a cover for illicit activities, stressing that “cutting off financing is one of the most critical paths to defeating terrorism.” For more information on today’s action, see the Department of the Treasury’s announcement.
