Hamas operatives who were released as part of the 2011 Gilad Shalit prisoner exchange with Israel are still involved in plotting terrorist activities, running Hamas businesses, and operating cultural organizations used as cover for their operations.
One of those operatives, Jihad Muhammad Yaghmour, was sanctioned on Dec. 13 by the U.S. government in its fourth round of sanctions since the October 7 attacks against Israel.
The individuals targeted in the latest U.S. government action include Hamas officials and representatives based in Lebanon and Türkiye who have supported the terrorist group’s interests abroad and managed its financial network.
“Hamas continues to rely heavily on networks of well-placed officials and affiliates, exploiting seemingly permissive jurisdictions to direct fundraising campaigns for the group’s benefit and funneling those illicit proceeds to support its military activities in Gaza,” said Brian Nelson, the Treasury’s Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence.
NGO Used as Cover
According to the Treasury, Yaghmour “is involved in seemingly legitimate cultural activities in Türkiye, which serve as a cover for his activities in support of Hamas.”
Yaghmour chairs the Jerusalem and Our History Association (KUTAD), an Istanbul-based organization that reports to be involved in “cultural and civil” activities and seeks to end Israel’s occupation of Palestinian lands, according to the organization’s website.
On social media, KUTAD glorifies Hamas and endorses attacks against Israelis.
One of those operatives, Jihad Muhammad Yaghmour, was sanctioned on Dec. 13 by the U.S. government in its fourth round of sanctions since the October 7 attacks against Israel.
The individuals targeted in the latest U.S. government action include Hamas officials and representatives based in Lebanon and Türkiye who have supported the terrorist group’s interests abroad and managed its financial network.
“Hamas continues to rely heavily on networks of well-placed officials and affiliates, exploiting seemingly permissive jurisdictions to direct fundraising campaigns for the group’s benefit and funneling those illicit proceeds to support its military activities in Gaza,” said Brian Nelson, the Treasury’s Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence.
NGO Used as Cover
According to the Treasury, Yaghmour “is involved in seemingly legitimate cultural activities in Türkiye, which serve as a cover for his activities in support of Hamas.” Yaghmour chairs the Jerusalem and Our History Association (KUTAD), an Istanbul-based organization that reports to be involved in “cultural and civil” activities and seeks to end Israel’s occupation of Palestinian lands, according to the organization’s website.
On social media, KUTAD glorifies Hamas and endorses attacks against Israelis.
December 2023 social media post by KUTAD featuring Hamas spokesperson Abu Obaida with the caption “Man of the Year. Representing the heroic Mujahideen and our devoted people. Abu Obaida, Spokesperson of the Nation of Islam.” Source: X
KUTAD and Yaghmour have organized public events and meetings in Türkiye, including events that feature visiting senior Hamas leaders.
In April 2018, KUTAD invited Hamas senior leader Khalid Mishaal as a featured speaker at its local event in Istanbul. Mishaal was sanctioned in 2003 for his role in supervising assassination operations, bombings and the killing of Israeli settlers.
Mishaal thanked supporters for standing with the Palestinian struggle and sent a message to the “Zionists and the Americans” saying that there will be “no admitting to the legitimacy of the occupation, [and] no breaking in the face of aggression,” according to a recording of the event.
In April 2018, KUTAD invited Hamas senior leader Khalid Mishaal as a featured speaker at its local event in Istanbul. Mishaal was sanctioned in 2003 for his role in supervising assassination operations, bombings and the killing of Israeli settlers.
Mishaal thanked supporters for standing with the Palestinian struggle and sent a message to the “Zionists and the Americans” saying that there will be “no admitting to the legitimacy of the occupation, [and] no breaking in the face of aggression,” according to a recording of the event.
Khalid Mishaal at the April 2018 “Chihannuma Istanbul Meeting” organized by the Jerusalem and Our History Association (KUTAD). Source: Habertürk.
In December 2019, Yaghmour also hosted sanctioned Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Türkiye to perform Friday prayer at the Fatih Mosque in Türkiye. The State Department sanctioned Haniyeh in 2018 for his close ties to Hamas’ military wing and for his support of violence, including against civilians and Israeli citizens.
In June 2023, KUTAD participated in a press conference discussing Israeli attacks in the West Bank. Speakers at the event called for a “great boycott against the apartheid regime.”
In June 2023, KUTAD participated in a press conference discussing Israeli attacks in the West Bank. Speakers at the event called for a “great boycott against the apartheid regime.”
Jihad Yaghmour (second from left) accompanying Ismail Haniyeh (center) to the Fatih Mosque in Türkiye. Source: X.
Prisoner Exchange Deal
Yaghmour relocated to Türkiye, where he has lived since his 2011 release from Israeli prison. The 2011 prisoner exchange deal, which Hamas continues to hail as “The Deal of Loyalty to the Liberated,” resulted in the release of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, who had been held captive by Hamas for over five years. In exchange, Israel released over 1,000 Palestinian prisoners, many of whom were serving lengthy sentences for their involvement in terrorist and suicide operations.
After their release, some of the prisoners were allowed to return to the West Bank and Gaza Strip, while others were deported to countries such as Türkiye, Qatar, and Syria.
Among those released alongside Yaghmour in 2011 were Zaher Jabarin, Musa Muhammad Dudin, and Haroun Nasser Al-Din.
Jabarin was sanctioned in 2019 for being the head of Hamas’s Finance Office where he manages the group’s yearly budget. Dudin was sanctioned by the U.S., U.K., and other governments after the October 7 attacks as a Hamas Investment Office official. Nasser Al-Din was sanctioned on Dec. 13 alongside Yaghmour as one of Hamas’ key financial operatives in Türkiye involved in the transfer of funds to Hamas in the Palestinian Territories.
Other Hamas members that were released as part of the 2011 deal that remain active in the group’s activities, but have not been sanctioned, include Abdalhakim Hanini, a founder of Hamas’ al-Qassam brigades in the West Bank.
Since his release, Hanini has served as a spokesperson for Hamas from Türkiye. Following the October 7 attacks, Hanini has conducted media appearances with international and regional media outlets, including more recently an interview with Russia's TRT outlet.
U.S. Official Testifies on Hamas Financial Network
During a Congressional committee hearing held on the same day as the recent imposition, Elizabeth Rosenberg, Treasury’s Assistant Secretary for Terrorist Financing and Financial Crimes, noted the impact that Hamas operatives abroad have in supporting the terrorist group’s activities.“Hamas leaders live and move freely in Türkiye, Qatar, and elsewhere, publicly solicit funds, and enjoy financial services and the ability to collect commercial revenue on investments,” Rosenberg said.
Since the October 7 attacks, the Treasury Department has “redoubled its efforts” to freeze Hamas’s finances, according to the U.S. official. Rosenberg also said during her testimony that Hamas reportedly has an annual budget of about $500 million, with funds originating from various sources including donations and a network of corporate investments across Africa and the Middle East.
