The United States Department of the Treasury announced on Thursday a new round of sanctions targeting an Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood official, alongside three individuals and three entities, over alleged financial and logistical support to Hamas through international fundraising and transfer networks.

In a statement, the Treasury identified Mahmoud Al-Ebiary as a key figure in the network. Described as a senior leader of the Muslim Brotherhood based in the United Kingdom, Al-Ebiary reportedly serves as Secretary-General of the group’s General Secretariat.

According to the department, Al-Ebiary was involved in fundraising for organisations previously sanctioned by Washington over alleged ties to Hamas. He was also said to have collaborated with individuals and groups affiliated with the Muslim Brotherhood to channel financial support to the movement.

The sanctions, issued by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), target what officials described as multi-layered financial networks. These networks allegedly used charitable organisations, commercial enterprises and informal banking systems to move funds to Hamas’s military wing.

Washington also designated two institutions it said were used as fronts to collect funds on behalf of the group. The Treasury Department alleged that money raised under the guise of humanitarian aid for civilians was diverted to support Hamas’s military operations.

Under the sanctions, all assets and property belonging to the listed individuals and entities within U.S. jurisdiction will be frozen. U.S. citizens and companies are also barred from conducting transactions with them.

The Treasury further warned that foreign financial institutions facilitating significant transactions for the sanctioned parties could face secondary sanctions, including restrictions on access to the U.S. financial system.

Officials said the measures were coordinated with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and U.S. Customs and Border Protection as part of broader efforts to disrupt financial networks Washington says support Hamas. (The Nation)

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