Sanctions Target Military Wing Deputy and France-Based Fundraisers
The United States issued additional sanctions on 2 October against Hamas' financial network, the Treasury Department said. The measures target a member of the Palestinian militant group's military wing, two fundraisers based in France and two entities, according to the department.[S1]
The Treasury Department named the individual as Saleem Abdallah Saleem al-Zaq, describing him as a deputy battalion commander within Hamas's military wing who operates out of Gaza. Treasury officials stated that he manages a financing operation relying on multiple money services businesses alongside cryptocurrency wallets to channel substantial sums to the Hamas Al-Qassam Brigades.[S1]
Treasury Cites Multi-Year Financing Architecture
Treasury described the sanctions as revealing a complex financing structure built up over several years, one that funneled over $2 million to Hamas via charities presented as legitimate and through cryptocurrency transactions. The department added that this shows Hamas keeps finding ways to reshape how it raises money so that it can avoid being caught.[S1]
