Israel imposes sanctions against 20 individuals and organizations accused of funding Hamas

Israel’s Defense Minister Benny Gantz has announced new sanctions against 20 individuals and organizations accused of financing the Islamist group Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas), which controls the Gaza Strip.

“We will continue to support the money that goes to the citizens,” the defense official explained on his Twitter profile, also expressing his gratitude to the relevant agencies “for the thorough work” towards ensuring security in the country.

According to a statement from Gantz’s office reported by ‘The Times of Israel’, Hamas has investments worth “hundreds of millions of dollars” through companies that operate “under the appearance” of being legitimate, but which “conceal” the Islamist group’s control over its holdings.

The sanctioned companies are in the real estate and infrastructure sectors and operate in countries such as Sudan, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Algeria.” Among them are the Sudanese real estate developer Al Rowad, the Saudi Anda Company and the Algerian Sidar, as reported by the Israeli daily ‘The Jerusalem Post’.

Also among the sanctioned individuals is Usama Ali, identified as head of the investment system and member of the Hamas Governing Council, who is also sanctioned by the United States for generating income for the group.