US Sanctions French "Charities" for Funding Hamas
Translated & summarized from Channel 9 by baba
The U.S. Treasury sanctioned individuals and French organizations for allegedly financing Hamas, raising over $2 million since 2020. French authorities arrested key figures, and the U.S. Department of Justice has charged others as part of an ongoing crackdown on Hamas's financial network.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- U.S. sanctions target individuals and French organizations for alleged Hamas financing.
- Network reportedly raised over $2 million, with significant funds after Oct 7.
- French authorities arrested key figures in the alleged financing network.
- U.S. charges include money laundering and aiding a terrorist organization.
- Action is part of a wider U.S. effort against Hamas's financial infrastructure.
The U.S. Department of the Treasury has imposed sanctions on individuals and organizations accused of financing Hamas. Targeted were Salim Abdallah Salim al-Zak, described as a representative of Hamas's military wing, French residents Fawzi Barika and Amel Walid, and two French organizations, Association Baraka and Ensemble C Mieux. According to the U.S. Treasury, these entities were part of an international network that funneled money to terrorists in the Gaza Strip.
U.S. authorities allege that al-Zak led the network since 2020, serving as deputy battalion commander in the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades and overseeing the planning and execution of terrorist acts. The network reportedly raised funds through social media campaigns disguised as aid for Gazans. Barika and Walid allegedly handled cryptocurrency transfers, and their "charitable" companies, co-founded with al-Zak, collected donations for Hamas.
From 2020 to 2026, the network is said to have raised over $2 million, with approximately $1.5 million collected after October 7, 2023. "Terrorist organizations like Hamas rely on sophisticated financial facilitators and fraudulent schemes designed to exploit populations to sustain their operations," stated Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. He added that the Treasury Department would continue to identify, isolate, and hold accountable those providing Hamas with necessary funds.
The U.S. Department of Justice reported that French intelligence services have arrested Barika, Walid, and another network participant, Nordine Barika. The DOJ has also formally charged al-Zak with violating the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, conspiracy to commit money laundering, and aiding a designated terrorist organization. Several individuals linked to the network have also been arrested in the U.S.
This operation is part of a broader U.S. campaign against Hamas's financial infrastructure. In September, the DOJ announced the seizure of $560,000 in cryptocurrency intended for Hamas's military wing and the blocking of online infrastructure used for fundraising.
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