US Sanctions Network Accused of Funneling Millions to Hamas Through Charities and Crypto

The US Treasury Department has imposed sanctions on a network accused of funneling over Ksh259 million ($2 million) to Hamas through charities and cryptocurrency. The network, led by Saleem Abdallah Saleem al-Zaq, a deputy in Hamas's military wing, collected funds between 2020 and 2026.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the sanctions target 'sophisticated financial facilitators' who exploit the public to sustain terrorist organizations like Hamas. The department also identified hundreds of thousands of dollars transferred through cryptocurrency.

The network used money-service businesses and cryptocurrency wallets to transfer funds to Hamas's Al-Qassam Brigades, with al-Zaq promoting their fundraising accounts on social media. He was designated under Executive Order 13224 for acting on behalf of Hamas.