US says it’s ‘dismantling’ multimillion-dollar Hamas finance network

The US Treasury Department announced sanctions against three individuals and two France-based charities, accusing them of funneling over $2 million to Hamas through deceptive charitable fronts and cryptocurrency channels. The Justice Department also indicted the alleged ringleader, Saleem Abdallah Saleem al-Zaq, a Hamas member who oversees the network from Gaza.

The United States announced Friday that it is dismantling a Hamas financing network that raised more than $2 million for the terror group. The Treasury Department imposed sanctions on three individuals and two France-based charities, accusing them of funneling donations through deceptive charitable fronts and cryptocurrency channels. The Justice Department also issued an indictment against the alleged ringleader, Saleem Abdallah Saleem al-Zaq, identified as a Hamas member who oversees the financial network and works with the group's media office. Al-Zaq does not appear to be in US custody; court filings say he resides in Gaza. The Treasury statement described the network as a sophisticated, multi-year financing architecture that moved more than $2 million to Hamas. Of that sum, $1.5 million was raised after the Hamas-led October 7, 2023, invasion of southern Israel. The sanctions also target Faouzi Barika and Amel Oualid, linked to the France-based charities Association Baraka and Ensemble C Mieux, which were also named in the action. The US Attorney for the Southern District of New York said the cooperation demonstrates a commitment to depriving Hamas of funding.