US Sanctions Hamas Financing Network and Arrests Operatives in Multi-Country Sweep
The United States government unveiled sweeping sanctions against three individuals allegedly tied to Hamas and two French charities, alongside six related arrests, in an effort to dismantle a multi-year international fundraising architecture. The Treasury Department stated that the network funneled more than $2m to the militant group through deceptive charitable fronts and cryptocurrency channels.
Treasury Sanctions Target French Charities and Gaza Operatives
The US Department of the Treasury announced that all property and interests in property belonging to the targeted individuals and entities within the United States are blocked and must be reported to the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated that terrorist organizations rely on sophisticated financial facilitators to exploit the public and sustain operations.
The sanctions target three specific individuals:
- Saleem Alzaq: A 45-year-old Gaza resident identified by officials as a member of the Hamas military wing, a battalion deputy in the armed wing, and a participant in the group’s propaganda office.
- Faouzi Barika: A France resident accused of running charities ostensibly for humanitarian purposes to aid Gazan civilians.
- Amel Oualid: A France resident also accused of operating charitable fronts to raise money for Hamas.
The targeted entities include two French organizations, Association Baraka and Ensemble C Mieux. Treasury officials reported that these groups collected more than $2m for Hamas over a six-year period beginning in 2020, with $1.5m raised following the October 7, 2023, attack on Israel.
Federal Indictments and International Arrests in Louisiana and Florida
Simultaneously, the US Department of Justice unsealed an indictment and announced arrests tied to an alleged conspiracy to pay, solicit, and collect funds for Hamas. Three associates were arrested in France as part of the same plot, while the FBI stated the network actively fueled violent attacks against Israel.
Federal authorities in the United States detained three men domestically:
- Omar Adhami: Resident of the New Orleans suburb of Covington, Louisiana.
- Abdel Adhami: Also a resident of Covington, Louisiana.
- Raed Yousef: Resident of the Tampa suburb of Lutz, Florida.
According to statements from US Attorney Jamie McDonald of New York’s Southern District and US Attorney David Courcelle of Louisiana’s Eastern District, the defendants contributed tens of thousands of dollars to Alzaq and provided resources intended to fund Hamas. The suspects face charges including conspiracy to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization and conspiracy to commit money laundering. If convicted, they face up to 80 years in prison.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Hamas Financing Crackdown
How did the network move funds to Hamas?
Investigators stated that the network moved more than $2m over a six-year period using deceptive charitable fronts in France and cryptocurrency channels, funneling resources directly to military wing operatives like Saleem Alzaq.
What specific penalties do the US-based suspects face?
Omar Adhami, Abdel Adhami, and Raed Yousef face federal charges including conspiracy to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization and conspiracy to commit money laundering, carrying a maximum sentence of up to 80 years in prison upon conviction.
Which French organizations were designated by the Treasury Department?
The Treasury Department sanctioned Association Baraka and Ensemble C Mieux, alleging they raised funds ostensibly for humanitarian aid while actually directing capital to Hamas operations.
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