In a decisive move against global terror, the U.S. Department of the Treasury has targeted a sophisticated financial network funneling critical funds to the designated Foreign Terrorist Organization, Hamas. This network, operating under the deceptive guise of 'humanitarian purposes,' has been exposed for transferring millions to support the radical Islamist group's operations.
The Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) announced sanctions against a key individual from Hamas’s military wing, alongside two France-based individuals and two affiliated entities. These operatives exploited cryptocurrency and sham charities to transfer over $2 million to Hamas across several years, demonstrating a cynical exploitation of public trust.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent left no doubt about America's resolve. “Terrorist organizations like Hamas rely on sophisticated financial facilitators and fraudulent schemes designed to exploit the public to sustain their operations,” Secretary Bessent stated. “Treasury will continue to identify, isolate, and impose consequences on those who provide Hamas with the financial lifelines it needs to survive.”
Under these stringent measures, all properties and interests of the sanctioned individuals within the United States are now blocked and must be reported to OFAC. Furthermore, U.S. citizens and entities are expressly prohibited from conducting any transactions involving these blocked individuals or their assets.
At the heart of this illicit network is Saleem Abdallah Saleem al-Zaq, 45, a battalion deputy in Hamas's Al-Qassam Brigades—the very wing responsible for orchestrating terror strikes. From his base in Gaza since at least January 2020, al-Zaq allegedly spearheaded a global fundraising operation. These efforts were brazenly promoted through social media, falsely advertising themselves as conduits for humanitarian aid to Gaza, only to divert the funds directly to Hamas.
Assisting al-Zaq in these nefarious activities were Faouzi Barika and Amel Oualid, both based in France. They allegedly played crucial roles in collecting and transferring funds, establishing two separate entities that have now also been brought under the weight of U.S. sanctions.
Between 2020 and 2026, this trio reportedly amassed over $2 million for Hamas. Chillingly, a staggering $1.5 million of this total was funneled to the terror group following the brutal Oct. 7, 2023, attack against Israel, showcasing Hamas’s immediate ability to capitalize on bloodshed.
Department of State spokesperson Tommy Pigott affirmed that these latest sanctions are a clear demonstration of the U.S. commitment to dismantling Hamas’s global support networks. “Disrupting these networks is central to broader U.S. efforts to isolate Hamas, protect the integrity of legitimate humanitarian assistance to Gazan civilians, and support conditions for lasting regional stability,” Pigott explained, underscoring the importance of separating genuine aid from terror financing.
The fight against terror financing extends beyond mere sanctions, with American leadership also confronting systemic failures in international bodies. A group of 25 U.S. lawmakers recently took a principled stand, writing directly to President Donald Trump, urging the complete dismantling of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). Their demand came amidst grave allegations of UNRWA employees' direct ties to Hamas.
These lawmakers highlighted disturbing reports from Israel, alleging that at least 12 UNRWA employees actively participated in the Oct. 7, 2023, attacks. Even more alarming, an estimated 10 percent of the agency’s employees in Gaza are believed to have links with terror groups. This shocking revelation lays bare the severe corruption and potential complicity within an organization purportedly dedicated to humanitarian relief.
“Any aid organization in Gaza or otherwise must be demonstrably free of ties to terrorism and committed to transparency, accountability, and peace,” the lawmakers firmly declared in their letter. “We must ensure this failed system doesn’t continue reinforcing the conditions that have fueled terrorism for generations.” Despite these serious accusations, UNRWA’s response was notably underwhelming, announcing the termination of 70 staff members in Gaza while simultaneously claiming these dismissals did not 'validate any allegations' – a convenient bureaucratic deflection that offers little solace or genuine accountability.
President Trump, ever a champion of American strength and security, had previously announced a historic agreement in July for the full disarmament of Hamas and other terror groups in Gaza. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu echoed this resolve in August, stating that Israeli forces would not withdraw from Gaza until Hamas is completely disarmed. Yet, the United Nations, true to form, indicates that the critical disarmament process has, to date, yet to even begin. This stark contrast between decisive American and Israeli leadership and bureaucratic inertia highlights the ongoing battle to truly secure peace and eliminate terror threats.
America’s unwavering stance against those who fund terror, paired with calls for integrity and accountability from global institutions, underscores a commitment to national security and global stability. It's a clear message: the funds intended for aid will not be allowed to fuel terror, and those who enable such deception will face the full force of American justice. The fight to protect innocent lives and uphold American values demands nothing less than relentless pursuit of those who seek to destabilize the world through violence and deceit.
