By Blessing Chinagorom
The United Kingdom and the United States have announced new sanctions on the leaders and financiers of Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) over the October 7 horrible attack.
Two months ago, the Hamas brought a tragic war to Gaza when attack Israel which has compounded and perpetuated the suffering of people in Gaza at every step of the crisis it created.
The United Kingdom through the Commonwealth and Development office on Wednesday stated that the leaders and financiers of Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) were targeted by new sanctions in fresh clampdown, aim to isolate Hamas through freezing assets and imposing travel bans.
Seven further individuals linked to Hamas were also sanctioned, to counter the ongoing threat posed by the terror organisation, cut off its access to finances and impose fresh travel restrictions on individuals linked to the group to disrupt its operations.
In a separate statement stated that this move, coordinated by both countries, is the UK’s second round and US’s fourth round of the targeted sanctions imposed on figures associated with Hamas since the 7 October attacks on Israel.
Noted that Mahmoud Zahar, Hamas’ co-founder, is among those targeted in today’s sanctions and also targeted is Ali Baraka, Hamas’s Head of External Relations, who has publicly defended the 7 October attacks and sought to justify the taking of hostages.
The sanctions target key figures in the network that has financed Hamas, including individuals in Lebanon and Algeria. These stringent measures show that individuals linked to Hamas will not be able to escape accountability, even if they are operating from outside of Gaza.
UK Foreign Secretary, David Cameron said: 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.
“We will continue to work with partners to reach a long-term political solution so that Israelis and Palestinians can live in peace the Foreign Secretary added.
Those now subject to UK travel bans and asset freezes include: Mahmoud Zahar: a Gaza-based Hamas leader and co-founder. Ali Baraka: the Lebanon-based Head of External Relations for Hamas. Maher Obeid: a political leader who has held senior positions in Hamas
Akram al-Ajouri: the Syria-based Deputy Secretary General of Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) and Leader of the Al-Quds Brigades, PIJ’s military wing
Khaled Chouman and Rida Ali Khamis: who have channelled funds to Hamas through their Lebanon-based currency exchanges. Aiman Ahmad Al Duwaik: an Algeria-based financier for Hamas who has helped run the organisation’s overseas investment portfolio.
The UK and the US stand united in their solidarity with Israel and its fight against Hamas, while being clear their actions must be in line with International Humanitarian Law. “We continue to support efforts to prevent a regional escalation of the conflict and allow crucial humanitarian aid access to Gaza”.
Today’s announcement follows sanctions put in place by the UK last month, which targeted Hamas’ political leader in Gaza, along with other top-ranking officials and financiers.
Sanctions form part of a wider tranche of measures aimed at disrupting the group’s acts of terror, including the recently announced international taskforce set up to enable the UK and partners to share financial intelligence.
Meanwhile, the Foreign Secretary recently visited the Gaza region, where he announced the UK would give a further £30 million in humanitarian aid to the United Nations and other agencies on the ground. This will provide shelters, blankets, food and medicine to civilians in Gaza.
The UK has already sent 51 tonnes of lifesaving aid to the region and doubled its funding commitment to the Occupied Palestinian Territories this year.
Membership and expressing support for Hamas is an illegal act in the UK, punishable by up to 14 years in prison. Dozens of countries, including the United Kingdom and United States, as well as the European Union, have designated it a terrorist group.