The United States on Friday issued sanctions targeting a Hamas spokesman and leaders of its drone unitreported the Treasury Department, which added that the European Union is simultaneously imposing sanctions aimed at the Islamist group.
US sanctions target Hudhayfa Samir 'Abdallah al-Kahlut (al-Kahlut)also known as “Abu Ubaida”, spokesperson for the Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades (al-Qassam Brigades)Hamas's military wing in Gaza, since at least 2007, according to the Department.
The sanctions were also directed against William Abu Shanab (Abu Shanab), commander of the al-Shimali unit based in Lebanon, Bara'a Hasan Farhat (Farhat) aide to Abu Shanab, commander of the al-Shimali unit, and Khalil Muhammad 'Azzam ('Azzam), intelligence official.
“Today's joint action reinforces our continued and collective focus on disrupting Hamas's ability to carry out new attacks, including through cyber warfare and the production of unmanned aerial vehicles.”said Brian Nelson, Treasury Undersecretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence.
“Treasury, in coordination with our allies and partners, will continue to target Hamas facilitation networks wherever they operate, including in the cyber realm,” he added.
As a result of the sanctions, all property and interests in property of designated persons located in the United States or in the possession or control of U.S. persons are blocked and must be reported to the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control.
