US Imposes Sanctions on Hamas’s International Fundraising

WASHINGTON DC, United States (Kurdistan 24) Earlier this week, on the anniversary of Hamas’s brutal assault on Israel that triggered what has become a year-long war, the U.S. imposed new sanctions on Hamas, aimed at cutting off, or at least diminishing, its income.

The key figure in the new set of sanctions is Hamid Abdullah Hussein al-Ahmar, a wealthy businessman and a Yemeni national, who now lives in Turkey.

Ahmar’s support for Hamas appears to be a product of sectarian tensions within Yemen itself. Ahmar comes from an important Yemeni tribal confederation, the Hashid, and he was a prominent political figure in the Islah (reform) party, which represents Yemen’s Muslim Brotherhood. 

The Houthis, whom Iran supports in Yemen, are Shi’ites. They constitute some 45% of the Yemeni population, while the other 55% of the population, like Ahmar, is Sunni.

Read More: U.S. Launches Major Strike on Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen 

In 2014, when the Houthis took control over the capital, Sana’a, Ahmar felt obliged to flee into exile—to a Sunni country–i.e. Turkey. 

U.S. Sanctions Ahmar and his Businesses

In announcing the new sanctions on Monday, the Treasury Department described Ahmar as “one of the most prominent international supporters of Hamas.”

Ahmar is a “key member” of Hamas’s investment board, which was once secret, the Treasury Department explained, and which “at its peak managed over $500 million worth of assets”—half a billion dollars— “enabling Hamas’s leaders to live in luxury outside the Palestinian territories, despite the real humanitarian needs” of Gaza’s population.

The U.S. sanctioned Ahmar and nine companies that he owns. Four are in Yemen: Al Ahmar Trading Group, Al Ahmar Oils Supply and Distribution, Sama International Media, and Al Salam Trading and Agencies General Establishment.

Another three companies are based in Turkey: Sabaturk Dis Ticaret Anonim Sirketi, Vivid Enerji Yatirimlari Anonim Sirketi, and Investrade Portfoy Yonetimi Anonim Sirketi.

There is another company in the Czech Republic: Saba, Trade & Investment S.R.O, with another in Beirut: Sabafon International. 

Phony Charities Used by Hamas

“Hamas has exploited the suffering in Gaza to solicit funds through sham and front charities that falsely claim to help civilians in Gaza,” the Treasury Department statement said.

“As of early 2024, Hamas may have received as much as $10 million a month through such donations,” it continued. “Hamas considers Europe to be a key source of fundraising and has maintained representation across the continent for many years,” in part to raise money through its phony charities. 

One of them is Al-Quds International Foundation, which is based in Lebanon. It is headed by Ahmar, and, already in 2012, it was sanctioned by the U.S. for its fundraising activities on behalf of Hamas. 

Those sanctioned on Monday include the Charity Association of Solidarity with the Palestinian People. It is based in Italy and headed by Mohammad Hannoun, a 62 year old Palestinian from Jordan.

The charity “ostensibly raises funds for humanitarian purposes, but in reality helps bankroll Hamas’s military wing,” the Treasury Department said.

Adel Saad al-Din Doughman, who was born in Austria and who is an Austrian citizen, also raises funds for that phony charity. Doughman “is in charge of Hamas activity in Austria and is another one of the most prominent Hamas representatives in Europe,” Treasury said.

Majed Zeer is Hamas’s senior representative in Germany and “one of the senior Hamas members in Europe.”

He plays a “central role” in Hamas’s fundraising in Europe and has joined Doughman and Hannoun in Hamas delegations in the Middle East, Treasury said, as it added Zeer to its sanctions list.

All were sanctioned on Monday for their fundraising in support of Hamas.