US sanctions Palestinian charities allegedly funding Hamas, PFLP
The US Treasury Department announced new sanctions on Tuesday against five individuals and five organizations it accuses of financially supporting Palestinian groups Hamas and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) under the guise of humanitarian aid.The sanctioned entities span Gaza, Turkey, Algeria, the Netherlands, and Italy. Among them are the Al Weam Charitable Society in Gaza, reportedly controlled by Hamas, and its executive director Muhammad Sami Muhammad Abu Marei. Also listed are Turkey's Filistin Vakfi and its president, Zeki Abdullah Ibrahim Ararawi. Additional organizations based in Algeria, the Netherlands, and Italy were identified for allegedly supporting terrorist activities.advertisementAccording to the Treasury, these groups have been channeling funds to Hamas' military wing while presenting themselves as charitable organizations. The department emphasized that this tactic exploits the credibility of humanitarian efforts, masking terrorist financing operations.
A related Treasury report highlights the increasing use of online crowdfunding as a tool for terrorist financing. Because most crowdfunding efforts appear legitimate, law enforcement agencies face significant challenges in detecting illicit activity."Today's action underscores the importance of safeguarding the charitable sector from abuse by terrorists like Hamas and the PFLP, who continue to leverage sham charities as fronts for funding their terrorist and military operations," said Deputy Secretary Michael Faulkender.The Treasury reaffirmed its commitment to dismantling financial networks that support terrorist groups, particularly as Hamas continues to hold hostages from its October 7, 2023, attack on Israel.
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