Washington and London announced sanctions on Wednesday against five “key financial facilitators involved in fundraising for Hamas.”
The sanctions—the fourth such round of designations since Oct. 7—target Gaza Now and its founder and director Mustafa Ayash and Al-Qureshi Executives and Aakhirah Limited and their director and sole officer Aozma Sultana.
“The United States continues to degrade terrorist financing networks, including by targeting actors fundraising for Hamas,” the U.S. State Department stated.
“Treasury remains committed to degrading Hamas’s ability to finance its terrorist activities, including through online fundraising campaigns that seek to funnel money directly to the group,” stated Brian Nelson, U.S. under secretary of the Treasury for terrorism and financial intelligence.
“The United States, in close coordination with our British partners, will continue to leverage our tools to disrupt Hamas’s ability to facilitate further attacks,” Nelson added.
After Oct. 7, Gaza Now “began a fundraising effort in support of Hamas,” according to the U.S. Treasury Department.
Al-Qureshi Executives and Aakhirah Limited “have given thousands of dollars to Gaza Now and advertised Gaza Now as a partner during a joint fundraiser shortly after the Oct. 7 terrorist attack,” the department added.
The UK Treasury referred to Gaza Now as “a news agency that promotes the Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorist groups.”
“The UK and its partners are committed to cutting off funding sources to Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad and any others supporting terrorist activity that prevents sustainable peace in the Middle East,” stated Charlotte Vere, a baroness and UK Treasury minister.
“We will also never hesitate to take action against those who exploit the integrity of Britain’s financial system, its broader economy and threaten our national security,” she added.