U.S. Sanctions Network Moving $2 Million to Hamas

The United States Department of the Treasury and the Department of Justice announced sanctions and arrests on Friday targeting a financial network that allegedly moved more than $2 million to Hamas between 2020 and 2026. The network utilized cryptocurrency and deceptive charitable fronts to funnel funds, including $1.5 million raised after the October 7, 2023, attacks on Israel.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent sanctioned three individuals—Saleem Alzaq, a Hamas military wing battalion deputy in Gaza, and France-based residents Faouzi Barika and Amel Oualid—along with two French charities, Association Baraka and Ensemble C Mieux. Simultaneously, the Justice Department unsealed an indictment against Alzaq and arrested six men. Three suspects, Omar Adhami, Abdel Adhami, and Raed Yousef, were apprehended in the United States, while three other associates were arrested in France.

The suspects face charges of money laundering and conspiracy to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization. Attorney General Todd Blanche stated that those financing terrorist groups will face federal prosecution.