The US Treasury announced on Wednesday that it is imposing sanctions together with the United Kingdom on a fund-raising network affiliated with Hamas.
“The Treasury remains committed to degrading Hamas’ ability to finance its terrorist activities, including through online fundraising campaigns that seek to funnel money directly to the group,” said Treasury Under Secretary Brian Nelson.
The sanctions reportedly target two individuals and three entities linked to the Gaza Now organization, which has been fundraising for the terror group following the Oct. 7 attack. This marks the fourth collaborative sanction effort by the US and the UK against Hamas’ fundraising activities since the outbreak of the Gaza war.
Speaking to Reuters regarding the Treasury’s decision, Hamas spokesperson Sami Abu Zuhri denied any link between the terror group and the entities listed in the joint order.
“These institutions have no connection with the Hamas movement, and the decision is another evidence of the American partnership in the war against the Palestinian people,” Abu Zuhri told Reuters.
Gaza Now primarily operates on Telegram but has amassed millions of followers on mainstream social media platforms, such as Instagram and Twitter. It gained notoriety after Oct. 7 by releasing violent videos of the attacks and fighting in Gaza (we advise against visiting Gaza Now’s social media channels). The pro-Hamas organization is reportedly no stranger to broadcasting violent content, including the livestreaming of executions in 2017, as per the Times of Israel.
