EU imposes sanctions on companies and individuals for financing Hamas
The European Union has imposed sanctions on several companies and individuals who are alleged to have been involved in the financing of the radical Islamic Palestinian organization Hamas. The sanctions include asset freezes and visa restrictions, as the EU announced on Friday.
According to reports, three companies were sanctioned, which acted as intermediaries for transferring funds to Hamas: the Spanish real estate company Al Zawaya Group and two other companies based in Sudan.
The head of Hamas' "foreign investment activities" was also sanctioned, who is said to have facilitated transfers from Iran. In addition, the EU imposed sanctions on Ali Morshed Schirasi, a high-ranking Revolutionary Guards officer, who monitored Tehran's connections to Palestinian groups from Lebanon.
Moreover, Maher Rebhi Obeid, the Hamas representative responsible for terrorist activities in the West Bank, was also added to the sanctions list.
European diplomats also announced a second round of sanctions against violent Israeli settlers in the West Bank. The 27 EU member states, which are struggling to find a common position in the Gazan conflict, had already imposed sanctions on "extremist" Israeli settlers and two militant settler groups in April due to violence against Palestinians in the West Bank.
The EU mentioned plans for potential sanctions against more individuals involved in Hamas financing.The Al Zawaya Group, along with two Sudanese companies, received financing sanctions due to their role in transferring funds to Hamas.The EU also imposes sanctions on individuals like Maher Rebhi Obeid, who hold key positions in Hamas and are accused of financing or supporting terrorist activities.
