WASHINGTON: US and British authorities on Wednesday imposed sanctions against two people and three companies related to the ‘Gaza Now’ media channel over fundraising for Hamas.
The Treasury Department in a statement said that Gaza Now, whose popular Telegram channel has more than 1.8 million followers, and its founder Mustafa Ayash, started a fundraising campaign for Hamas after the war between Israel and the Palestinian group started on October 7.
According to the Gaza health ministry Israel’s relentless bombardment has killed at least 32,414 people in Gaza, most of them women and children.
US Treasury undersecretary for terrorism and financial intelligence Brian Nelson in a statement said that treasury remains committed to undermine Hamas’ ability to finance its activities, including through online fundraising campaigns.
The US also placed sanction son Aozma Sultana, the director of two companies that allegedly gave thousands of dollars to Gaza Now and advertised Gaza Now as a partner during a joint fundraiser after the October 7 attack.
The UK authorities also took the similar steps against Gaza Now. The UK Treasury in a statement said that the government has announced a full asset freeze against two individuals for allegedly providing financial assistance to Gaza Now, that promotes Hamas.
It said all funds and economic resources in the UK controlled or belonged to Sultana and Ayash have been frozen.
