UK FCDO designates Hamas leadership with asset freeze and other sanctions
On 14 November 2023, the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) designated four senior leaders and two financiers associated with Hamas as ‘involved persons’ under the Counter-Terrorism (International Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019.
The new sanctions target: Yahya Sinwar, Hamas' political leader in Gaza; Muhammed Deif, commander of the group's military arm Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades (IQB) who announced the October 2023 terrorist attacks; Marwan Issa, a senior leader of Hamas and is the deputy commander of the IQB; Musa Dudin, a West Bank-based Hamas official and arms dealer; Abdelbasit Hamza: a Sudan-based Hamas financier; and Nabil Chouman, another Hamas financier and operator of a Lebanon-based currency exchange.
The sanctions impose stringent asset freezes, travel bans and arms embargoes on those listed.
On announcing the listings UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron emphasised the joint efforts taken with the United States and other allies. The US has additionally sanctioned Hamas leadership in coordination with the UK.
The UK new designations are automatically applicable in the UK Overseas Territories, including the British Virgin Islands (BVI), Cayman Islands and Bermuda under the Counter-Terrorism (International Sanctions) (Overseas Territories) Order 2020.
The UK’s press release can be found here.
The US’ press release can be found here.
