The United States introduced fresh sanctions on Friday, October 27, specifically aimed at disrupting the financial networks and sources of support for Hamas located in Iran. This move comes in response to Hamas’s recent attack on Israel.

The United States unveiled a new round of sanctions Friday targeting Hamas’s funding networks and support sources based in Iran, after the group’s attack on Israel this month.

The unprecedented attack on Israel from the Gaza Strip on October 7 has been followed by nearly three weeks of bombardment by Israel in response, and thousands of civilians have been killed on both sides since the conflict began.

The latest US actions take aim at Hamas’s sources of support in Iran, with the Treasury Department designating a Hamas official based in the country and members of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps among others.

According to the Treasury, Hamas’s global asset holdings are estimated to be worth hundreds of millions of dollars.

This week, top Treasury officials have headed to the Middle East and Europe, in an effort to work with partners to deny Hamas’s ability to raise and use funds.

“Today’s action underscores the United States’ commitment to dismantling Hamas’s funding networks,” said Deputy Treasury Secretary Wally Adeyemo in a statement.

In a separate statement, Secretary of State Antony Blinken added that Washington “will continue to work with our partners to deny Hamas access to the international financial system.”

Among those designated on Friday were Khaled Qaddoumi, a Jordanian national serving as Hamas’s representative to Iran, alongside three IRGC officials and a Gaza-based charity organization.

Businesses based in Sudan and Spain, as well as people active in designated investment portfolio companies, were targeted as well.

All property of designated persons in the United States is blocked and must be reported to authorities, and entities owned by blocked individuals also come under restrictions.

Last week, Treasury sanctioned 10 Hamas members, operatives and financial facilitators based in Gaza and elsewhere.

The United States has previously designated Hamas as a terrorist organization.

Khalil Wakim, with AFP