US Treasury Uncovers and Dismantles Secret Support Network for Hamas

Translation by SadaNews - The so-called Office of Foreign Assets Control of the US Treasury Department announced today, Wednesday, measures targeting the secret links of Hamas with non-profit organizations and entities.

The office considered Hamas's reliance on these civil organizations to pose a direct threat to Palestinians and undermine efforts aimed at building a lasting and prosperous peace.

The office stated, as translated by SadaNews, that its action enhances the international community's ability to support legitimate Palestinian interests.

John Hurley, the US Treasury's Under Secretary for "Terrorism" and Financial Intelligence, said: "Hamas continues to display a blatant disregard for the welfare of the Palestinian people. The Trump administration will not look the other way while Hamas leaders and their enablers exploit the financial system to fund terrorist operations," according to his statement.

The American office indicated that its measures primarily target six organizations based in Gaza that provide services to Palestinian civilians but actually support the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas. It accused those institutions of using fraud and deception in fundraising from international donors while innocent civilians are deprived of the medical care they need, according to the statement. Translated by SadaNews.

The US sanctions also affect the Palestinian Popular Conference in Exile, which claims to represent Palestinians broadly but is secretly controlled by Hamas and has been a major supporter of several so-called flotillas attempting to reach Gaza. This is according to the statement.

The office noted that these measures were taken under its authorities after classifying Hamas as a "terrorist" organization due to its significant threat to the security of Americans, foreign policy, and the US economy.

According to the statement, Hamas secretly exploits a network of organizations in Gaza, controlled by its military wing, such as the Wiam Charity Association, which is classified by the US as concealing its links to the movement to fundraise from abroad without the donors' knowledge, and redirecting donations intended for Palestinians to support the activities of the movement.

The six organizations that it decided to reveal, based on evidence and documents seized from Hamas offices after October 7, 2023, aim to reduce the risks of financing "terrorism" in the charity and non-profit sectors by informing the public about the funding networks that support "terrorist" organizations and activities. This move also aims to enable the continuation of humanitarian aid to Gaza.

Among those organizations are Wiam Association, Al-Noor Association, Qafila Association, Al-Falah Association, Al-Aydy Al-Rahima Foundation, and Al-Salam Association.

The American office claims that this institution includes elements from the military wing of Hamas, and elements from Hamas's internal security apparatus are officially tasked with working within these institutions, especially Wiam Association and Al-Salam Association. It pointed out that the seized documents show that Hamas provides its members with detailed instructions on how to deal with the internal bureaucracy of the movement to request specific projects and services from these affiliated institutions.

Wiam Association receives direct funding from Hamas to execute its projects in Gaza, and it was tasked by Hamas's military wing with defending its fighters who were captured during their battles with the Israeli army, as well as receiving direct funding for specific projects.

Al-Noor and Al-Falah Associations receive similar funding and have transferred direct funds to Hamas's military wing. For example, funds from Al-Noor Association were used to pay salaries to elements of the military wing and provide services to Hamas fighters. Al-Falah Association also provided direct financial support to Hamas, including over $2.5 million in direct transfers to the military wing over a recent three-year period.

The Al-Aydy Al-Rahima Foundation is also under the control of Hamas's military wing, which provides it with some funding and operational instructions directly from this wing. Al-Salam and Qafila Associations have been tasked and funded by Hamas to implement projects aimed at serving the movement's interests.

The associations Wiam, Al-Noor, Qafila, and Al-Falah have been designated under Executive Order 13224, as amended, for providing financial, material, or technical support to Hamas.

The Al-Aydy Al-Rahima Foundation and Al-Salam Association were also designated under the same order for being owned, controlled, or directed by Hamas, or for operating on its behalf, directly or indirectly.

Hamas's Front for Organizing Maritime Flotillas

The Palestinian Popular Conference in Exile is one of the prominent organizers of recent flotillas that sought to break the Israeli security blockade imposed on Gaza, and it operates secretly in favor of Hamas. As a front organization for the movement, it operates under its directives, and it was established and managed by elements from Hamas's International Relations Office, which was then led by Mousa Abu Marzouk. This is according to the US Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control, translated by SadaNews.

On April 19, 2018, Ismail Haniyeh signed a letter addressed to Hamas's political office, outlining his directives for controlling the Palestinian political process. This plan contained two elements: escalating violence against Israel and enhancing Hamas's international engagement, with the Palestinian Popular Conference in Exile identified as a key component of this strategy. However, Hamas's connection to the conference predated this letter, as the movement contributed funding to the founding conference with a sum of $100,000. The aim of Hamas in this secret relationship is to expand its political influence internationally through an organization that claims to represent Palestinians in exile. This is according to the US statement.

It added: The role of the Palestinian Popular Conference in Exile is not limited to working with or supporting Hamas but operates under its direct guidance. Hamas controls the strategic and tactical aspects of the conference's activity by placing associated figures in leading positions. Among these are Adel Saad El-Din Hassan Daghman and Majed Khalil Mousa Al-Zayer. Daghman is one of the most prominent Hamas representatives in Europe and led the movement's activities in Austria, while Al-Zayer, who served as the conference's president and held other leadership roles, played a pivotal role in fundraising for Hamas in Europe and was its most prominent representative in Germany. Along with Zaher Khaled Hassan Barqawi, residing in the UK, who is a senior official in the conference, a member of its secretariat, and one of its founders. The secretariat serves as the executive leadership of the conference.

The American office confirmed that members of the Palestinian communities have the right to gather and defend their legitimate political issues, and members of the international community have the right to support these efforts. It pointed out that it does not impose sanctions for engaging in constitutionally protected activities in the United States, such as freedom of expression or religious beliefs. However, Hamas, through its strategy of hiding behind civilians and using "terrorism" to achieve political goals, is the one putting innocent lives at risk and undermining international efforts to build lasting peace and a prosperous future for the Palestinians.

Consequences of the Sanctions

As a result of today's actions, the use of all property and interests belonging to designated individuals and entities within the United States or controlled by US persons is prohibited and must be reported. Any entities owned 50% or more, directly or indirectly, by prohibited persons are automatically banned.

Office regulations generally prohibit all transactions conducted by US persons, or occurring within the United States or passing through it, related to the property of prohibited persons unless licensed or exempt. According to SadaNews translation.

Violations of US sanctions may result in civil or criminal penalties for US and foreign persons, and civil penalties may be imposed on a strict liability basis. Foreign financial institutions may also face secondary sanctions if they engage in substantial transactions with designated persons.

The American office stressed that the ultimate goal of the sanctions is not punishment per se but to bring about positive change in behavior.