The U.S. Department of the Treasury announced today, Friday, that the United States has imposed sanctions on Abu Obeida, the spokesperson for the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, as well as leaders of the drone unit affiliated with the Palestinian movement. The department added in a statement that the European Union is simultaneously imposing sanctions targeting Hamas.
The U.S. sanctions specifically target Huzaifa Samir Abdullah al-Kahlout, also known as "Abu Obeida," who has been the spokesperson for the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas in Gaza, since at least 2007. The sanctions also include Waleed Abu Shanab, the commander of the Northern Unit based in Lebanon, and Baraa Hassan Farahat, an assistant to Abu Shanab, as well as Khalil Mohammed Azam, who is an intelligence officer.
Brian Nelson, the Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, indicated regarding the drones, "Today's joint action enhances our continued collective focus on disrupting Hamas’s ability to carry out further attacks, including through digital warfare and drone production." He added, "The Treasury will continue, in coordination with our allies and partners, to target Hamas’s facilitation networks wherever they are, including in the digital space."
The sanctions impose a ban on all properties and interests owned by the designated individuals in the United States or those in the possession of or under the control of American persons, and they must be reported to the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the Treasury Department.
