US announces sanctions against a group of 10 Hamas members and financial network over Israel attack

WASHINGTON (AP) — The US announced sanctions on Wednesday against a group of 10 Hamas members and the Palestinian militant organisation's financial network across Gaza, Sudan, Turkey, Algeria and Qatar as it responds to the surprise attack on Israel that left more than 1,000 people dead or kidnapped.

Targeted for sanctions by the Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control are members who manage a Hamas investment portfolio, a Qatar-based financial facilitator with close ties to the Iranian regime, a key Hamas commander and a Gaza-based virtual currency exchange. Iran is Hamas' main sponsor.

Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said the US "is taking swift and decisive action to target Hamas's financiers and facilitators following its brutal and unconscionable massacre of Israeli civilians, including children."

"The US Treasury has a long history of effectively disrupting terror finance and we will not hesitate to use our tools against Hamas," she said in an emailed statement.

Treasury Deputy Secretary Wally Adeyemo told reporters on Wednesday that Treasury officials will be travelling to the region in the coming days to further their sanctions work.

President Joe Biden, who arrived in the Middle East early Wednesday to show support for Israel, has tried to tamp down tensions in the escalating war between Israel and Hamas, but those efforts have faced massive setbacks, including an explosion at a Gaza hospital that killed about 500 people.

Brian Nelson, US Treasury's under secretary for terrorism and illicit finance, said at a Deloitte anti-money laundering conference on Tuesday that the US is renewing its plans to pursue Hamas funding streams and made a call for American allies and the private sector to do the same or "be prepared to suffer the consequences."

"We cannot, and we will not, tolerate money flowing through the international system for Hamas' terrorist activity," Nelson said.

"We want to partner with all willing countries and financial entities to stop Hamas financing," he said "but to the extent that any institution or jurisdiction fails to take appropriate action, they should then be prepared to suffer the consequences."

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