The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) took action on Monday against a major international fundraising network supporting Hamas.
The sanctions target three key individuals, a fraudulent charity, a Hamas-controlled bank in Gaza, and prominent Hamas financier Hamid al Ahmar, along with nine of his businesses. This network has been critical in funneling funds for Hamas’s terrorist activities under the guise of humanitarian aid.
The move is part of a broader effort to disrupt external financial support for Hamas. This marks the eighth round of sanctions targeting Hamas’s financial apparatus since the October 7, 2023, attack.
Secretary of the Treasury Janet L. Yellen stated that her department remains steadfast in its mission to dismantle Hamas’s financial networks, particularly through entities posing as legitimate charities.
“The Treasury Department will use all available tools at our disposal to hold Hamas and its enablers accountable, including those who seek to exploit the situation to secure additional sources of revenue,” Yellen said.
The individuals and entities targeted have exploited charitable organizations to solicit funds, primarily in Europe, funneling as much as $10 million per month to Hamas.
Kharon investigations into Hamas networks
Kharon reported in February on Hamas representatives based in Europe, including Majed Alzeer and Adel Doughman, both of whom were sanctioned on Monday.
Alzeer, a senior Hamas representative in Germany, has served as a director of the Palestinian Return Centre since 2009. He is also a prominent spokesperson and representative of the organization at events across Europe, including appearances at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland.
Doughman, who oversees Hamas activities in Austria, founded and chaired the Palestinian Association in Austria (PVOE) in the early 2000s.
The Treasury also sanctioned Mohammad Hannoun, a Hamas member who established a fraudulent charity in Italy called the Associazione Benefica di Solidarietà con il Popolo Palestinese (ABSPP), which translates to the “Palestinian People Solidarity Charity Association” in English. While the charity claims to raise funds for humanitarian purposes, it actually supports Hamas’s military wing, according to the Treasury.
Kharon reported on Hannoun and his ties to Hamas, including details on ABSPP’s operations and three other organizations he manages.
Outside of Europe, the department also sanctioned Hamid Abdullah al Ahmar, a Yemeni national living in Türkiye, who is a key member of Hamas’s investment portfolio.
Kharon reported on Al Ahmar, linking him to several businesses and organizations with ties to Hamas, including Trend GYO, a real estate investment firm that was sanctioned by the U.S. government last year.
Al Ahmar, who is no longer the owner and chairman of Trend GYO, now chairs the Al-Ahmar Group, a conglomerate that operates 90 companies in various sectors, including oil and gas, financial services, mobile phones, and real estate developments.
In parallel, Hamas continues to operate unlicensed banks like Al-Intaj Bank in Gaza, circumventing international sanctions by operating outside established financial systems.
Monday’s actions block U.S. assets linked to these actors and prohibit U.S. persons from engaging in business with them, reaffirming the Treasury’s commitment to counterterrorism efforts.
The sanctions target three key individuals, a fraudulent charity, a Hamas-controlled bank in Gaza, and prominent Hamas financier Hamid al Ahmar, along with nine of his businesses. This network has been critical in funneling funds for Hamas’s terrorist activities under the guise of humanitarian aid.
The move is part of a broader effort to disrupt external financial support for Hamas. This marks the eighth round of sanctions targeting Hamas’s financial apparatus since the October 7, 2023, attack.
Secretary of the Treasury Janet L. Yellen stated that her department remains steadfast in its mission to dismantle Hamas’s financial networks, particularly through entities posing as legitimate charities.
“The Treasury Department will use all available tools at our disposal to hold Hamas and its enablers accountable, including those who seek to exploit the situation to secure additional sources of revenue,” Yellen said.
The individuals and entities targeted have exploited charitable organizations to solicit funds, primarily in Europe, funneling as much as $10 million per month to Hamas.
Kharon investigations into Hamas networks
Kharon reported in February on Hamas representatives based in Europe, including Majed Alzeer and Adel Doughman, both of whom were sanctioned on Monday.
Alzeer, a senior Hamas representative in Germany, has served as a director of the Palestinian Return Centre since 2009. He is also a prominent spokesperson and representative of the organization at events across Europe, including appearances at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland.
Doughman, who oversees Hamas activities in Austria, founded and chaired the Palestinian Association in Austria (PVOE) in the early 2000s.
The Treasury also sanctioned Mohammad Hannoun, a Hamas member who established a fraudulent charity in Italy called the Associazione Benefica di Solidarietà con il Popolo Palestinese (ABSPP), which translates to the “Palestinian People Solidarity Charity Association” in English. While the charity claims to raise funds for humanitarian purposes, it actually supports Hamas’s military wing, according to the Treasury.
Kharon reported on Hannoun and his ties to Hamas, including details on ABSPP’s operations and three other organizations he manages.
Outside of Europe, the department also sanctioned Hamid Abdullah al Ahmar, a Yemeni national living in Türkiye, who is a key member of Hamas’s investment portfolio.
Kharon reported on Al Ahmar, linking him to several businesses and organizations with ties to Hamas, including Trend GYO, a real estate investment firm that was sanctioned by the U.S. government last year.
Al Ahmar, who is no longer the owner and chairman of Trend GYO, now chairs the Al-Ahmar Group, a conglomerate that operates 90 companies in various sectors, including oil and gas, financial services, mobile phones, and real estate developments.
In parallel, Hamas continues to operate unlicensed banks like Al-Intaj Bank in Gaza, circumventing international sanctions by operating outside established financial systems.
Monday’s actions block U.S. assets linked to these actors and prohibit U.S. persons from engaging in business with them, reaffirming the Treasury’s commitment to counterterrorism efforts.
