European Sanctions Against Leaders of Hamas and Islamic Jihad Including Al-Hayya and Mash'al

Sada News - The European Union Council announced last night (Friday) its decision to impose an additional round of targeted sanctions against entities linked to Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad. The new measures, which are part of the EU's response to the October 7 attack, aim to hit the financial, logistical, and operational systems of these organizations, as well as their ability to carry out acts of violence.

The current list includes nine individuals and three legal entities identified as participants in financing the organizations, supplying weapons and explosive materials, or directing armed operations. Among the well-known names are: Nizar Mohammed Awadallah, Mohammed Nazal, Hossam Badran, Khaled Mash'al, Khalil Al-Hayya, Mohammed Ismail Darwish, Zaher Jabarin, Abu Khalil Al-Quds, Fathi Hamad, and Mousa Abu Marzouk.

Among the entities blacklisted are also front companies and money exchange offices that were used as a channel to transfer millions of dollars from Iran to Gaza, as well as field leaders who actively participated in planning and executing crimes against civilians.

The practical implication of the decision is the immediate freezing of all assets, funds, and economic resources belonging to these entities within the territories of the European Union. In addition, there is a complete ban on citizens, banks, and companies registered in the EU from providing any financing or resources to them. Alongside the economic sanctions, individuals listed in the sanctions face a travel ban across all EU countries.

In an official statement, the EU Foreign Minister emphasized that this step reflects Europe's steadfast commitment to the security of the State of Israel and to the global fight against terrorism. He also noted that the EU will continue to work in close coordination with international partners to cut off the economic lifelines of Hamas, and that the sanctions list will remain dynamic and will be updated as new supportive or consulting entities are uncovered.

Hamas Condemns

On Saturday, the "Hamas" movement condemned the EU Council's decision to expand the sanctions imposed on it and Islamic Jihad and to include several of their political leaders on its lists.

Hamas pledged in a statement that the decision was unjust and completely biased towards the narrative of the occupation, reflecting a double standard in dealing with the Palestinian issue.

It stated: This decision comes at a time when the occupying government continues to commit crimes of genocide, starvation, and forced displacement against our people, violating the ceasefire agreement, while the European Union turns a blind eye to these documented violations of international law and chooses to punish political leaders defending their people's legitimate rights. As stated in its statement.

It added: The attempt to criminalize Palestinian resistance will not change the fact that our people are under occupation, and that resistance is a legitimate right guaranteed by all human laws and conventions, and that the occupation is the root of the conflict and the source of instability, and that targeting members of the political bureau confirms that these sanctions come in response to the pressures of the occupation and are not based on standards of justice. According to its statement.

Hamas called on the European Union to review its biased policies, to stop providing political cover for the occupation, and to work towards holding its leaders accountable instead of pursuing the victims.

It affirmed that "these measures will not undermine the will of our Palestinian people and their adherence to their legitimate national rights, foremost among them freedom, self-determination, ending the occupation, and establishing the Palestinian state with its capital in Jerusalem." According to its statement.