The U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has imposed sanctions on five individuals and five overseas charities accused of financially supporting Hamas's military operations under the guise of humanitarian work. These entities are alleged to have funded Hamas’s activities in Gaza, with a separate fraudulent charity linked to the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) also targeted.
According to Treasury's 2024 National Terrorist Financing Risk Assessment, risks associated with terrorist financing continue to emerge primarily through sham charities abroad. Such networks establish seemingly legitimate non-profit organizations that purport to provide humanitarian aid but are instead used to funnel money to terrorist groups.
"Today’s action underscores the importance of safeguarding the charitable sector from abuse by terrorists like Hamas and the PFLP," stated Deputy Secretary Michael Faulkender. "Treasury will continue to use all available tools to prevent Hamas, the PFLP, and other terrorist actors from exploiting the humanitarian situation in Gaza."
The sanctions were executed under Executive Order 13224, which targets financiers abusing nonprofit sectors for illicit fund generation and movement. The PFLP has been designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization since October 1997 by the U.S. Department of State.
The United States remains in close coordination with international partners such as Australia and the United Kingdom in targeting financial facilitators linked to Hamas through joint actions.
Hamas and PFLP have reportedly exploited international trust for humanitarian causes, diverting funds intended for civilian aid towards their military operations. As part of these efforts, several organizations including Al Weam Charitable Society in Gaza and Filistin Vakfi in Türkiye have been identified as fronts for raising funds under false pretenses.
Al Weam is allegedly controlled by Hamas operatives who facilitated fundraising efforts on behalf of its military wing. Similarly, Filistin Vakfi's President Zeki Abdullah Ibrahim Ararawi oversaw campaigns supporting Hamas post-October 2023 attacks.
Other organizations such as El Baraka Association for Charitable and Humanitarian Work in Algeria, Israa Charitable Foundation Netherlands, Addameer Prisoner Support and Human Rights Association in West Bank, and Associazione Benefica La Cupola d’Oro in Italy have been implicated in similar schemes.
These designations result in blocking all property interests related to these entities within U.S. jurisdiction or control by U.S. persons unless authorized by OFAC. Violations may lead to civil or criminal penalties under U.S. sanctions laws.
The OFAC emphasizes that its sanctions aim not at punishment but at encouraging behavioral change among sanctioned entities. More information about seeking removal from an OFAC list can be found through their official guidance channels.
