The European Union hit two extremist Palestinian Islamist groups, Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), with new sanctions on Friday.
Three companies and six individuals have been targeted with punitive measures for financing the two groups and “enabling their violent actions.”
New sanctions apply to Zuheir Shamlakh, who the EU says is a money launderer “facilitating financial transfers” to Hamas from Iran.
Also targeted was Maher Rebhi Obeid, a senior Hamas political associate “responsible for directing Hamas terrorist associates in the West Bank”, according to the Council of the EU, the body representing the bloc’s 27 member states.
Jamil Yusuf Ahmad Aliyan, a PIJ official and leader of the Muhjat AlQuds Foundation, which provides financial support to the families of PIJ fighters and prisoners, has also been sanctioned.
The three companies, Zawaya Group for Development and Investment Co Ltd, Larrycom for Investment Ltd and Al Zawaya Group for Development and Investment Sociedad limitada, were linked to Hamas’s investment portfolio and placed on the EU sanctions list.
Individuals and organizations targeted by EU sanctions will be subject to an asset freeze within the EU and a travel ban to the EU.
In addition, it is prohibited for third parties to directly or indirectly make economic resources available to the companies and persons mentioned.
A total of 12 individuals and 3 organizations are covered by EU sanctions imposed in January 2024 to punish anyone supporting Hamas or the PIJ following Hamas’ October 7 terrorist attack on Israel.
The Gaza war was triggered by the mass killing of more than 1,200 people by Hamas and affiliated groups in Israel on October 7 last year.
