UK and US announce new sanctions for Hamas

The UK and US have announced sanctions of leaders and financiers of Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ).

Seven further individuals linked to Hamas have been sanctioned, to cut of access to the group's finances and impose travel restrictions on individuals linked to the group to disrupt its operations.

The coordinated move between the US and the UK is the UK's second round of targeted sanctions imposed on figures associated with Hamas since the 7 October attacks.

Those targeted include Mahmoud Zahar, Hamas’ co-founder, and Ali Baraka, Hamas’s head of external relations.

The sanctions have also targeted a leader of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) and key figures in the network that has financed Hamas, including individuals in Lebanon and Algeria.

Foreign Secretary David Cameron said: "Hamas can have no future in Gaza. Today’s sanctions on Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad will continue to cut off their access to funding and isolate them further.

"We will continue to work with partners to reach a long-term political solution so that Israelis and Palestinians can live in peace."

Image by Kevin Schneider from Pixabay