Treasury Sanctions Six Hamas Leaders, Including Some Based in Turkey

Latest Developments

• Sanctions Against Hamas’s Remaining Public Figures: The U.S. Treasury Department imposed sanctions on six of the few remaining leaders of the Iran-backed terrorist group Hamas on November 19 — Abd al-Rahman Ismail abd al-Rahman Ghanimat, Basem Naim, Mohammad Nazzal, Ghazi Hamad, Salama Mari, and Musa Daud Muhammad al-Akari. “Hamas continues to rely on key officials who seemingly maintain legitimate, public-facing roles within the group, yet who facilitate their terrorist activities, represent their interests abroad, and coordinate the transfer of money and goods into Gaza,” Acting Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Bradley T. Smith said.

• Hamad Has Called for Repeated October 7 Attacks: One of Hamas leaders, Ghazi Hamad, was described as a long-time Gaza-based Hamas operative and editor of its propaganda outlets. Hamad, who is authorized to speak on behalf of the group, has done numerous interviews since Hamas’s October 7, 2023, atrocities in Israel, including with mainstream media outlets. In November 2023, Hamad told Lebanese TV that Hamas was ready to repeat October 7 “twice and three times” to annihilate Israel.

• Some of Those Sanctioned Based in Turkey: The Treasury’s statement did not identify the location of Nazzal but noted that only Naim and Hamad were based in Gaza. The rest are living in Turkey, a NATO member state, which appears to have become the new headquarters for Hamas. The latest sanctions are the ninth set of sanctions issued by the United States against Hamas since October 7.

FDD Expert Response

“The individuals designated by Treasury today have operated in broad daylight for decades despite being convicted criminals and propagandists. Third parties should take note and cut ties to other such individuals today rather than wait for more sanctions tomorrow. The private sector can and should act preemptively when Hamas officials continue to operate in public despite their clear and evident criminal pasts. Importantly, countries like Turkey, which continue to provide safe harbor to Hamas, should be viewed with increasing caution by financial institutions around the world. Correspondent banking relationships must be assessed with increased scrutiny, and illicit finance risks should be mitigated appropriately.” — Max Meizlish, Senior Research Analyst

“The Biden administration needs to employ a strategy aimed at the full support infrastructure. The administration should expand beyond merely designating Hamas members and focus on individuals, businesses, and banks that support or facilitate Hamas activities in Turkey. This approach would address the broader network that enables Hamas operations, from financing to logistical support, not merely disrupting Hamas’s funding streams and reducing its operational capabilities but also sending a clear message about the costs of supporting such groups.” — Matt Zweig, Senior Policy Director at FDD Action

“Hamas leader Musa al-Akari may pose as a political scholar in the halls of the Turkish parliament, but in 1992, he was part of a Hamas terrorist squad that kidnapped and murdered Israeli Border Patrol officer Nissim Toledano. He was deported twice before settling in Turkey and integrating into Hamas’s ‘West Bank Headquarters’ under the command of Saleh al-Arouri. His brother, Ibrahim, was responsible for ramming a vehicle into a crowd at a light rail stop in Jerusalem, killing three and injuring 13. Through this designation, Treasury is demonstrating its ongoing commitment to combatting Hamas’s illicit activity.” — Melissa Sacks, Director of Network Analysis

FDD Background and Analysis

“‘Its leaders should no longer be welcome’: Qatar Agrees to Oust Hamas,” FDD Flash Brief

“Hamas Leadership Regroups in Qatar Following Sinwar’s Death,” FDD Flash Brief

“Qatari Emir’s Speech at UN Showed Its Loyalty to Hamas; We Must Respond,” by Natalie Ecanow

“Palestinian Leaders Make Offers in English, Threats in Arabic,” FDD Flash Brief