UK and US announce sanctions on those officials
The US and the UK have announced sanctions against 7 individuals, including founders and officials of Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad movement, as well as individuals alleged to have provided financial support.
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In a statement issued by the UK Foreign Office, it was stated that the UK and the US have taken a joint decision to impose sanctions on founders and officials of Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad movement, as well as individuals alleged to have provided financial support to them.
The statement noted that travel restrictions will be imposed on 7 individuals in an effort to strike a blow to the operations of Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad movement.
The ministry's statement emphasized that anyone assisting the two groups would be subject to similar sanctions.
The list of those to be sanctioned includes Hamas founder Mahmoud al-Zahar, Lebanon-based Hamas officials Ali Baraka and Maher Obeid, Palestinian Islamic Jihad movement Deputy Secretary-General Akram al-Ajouri, as well as Lebanese and Algerian businesspeople Khaled Chouman, Rida Ali Khamis, and Aiman Ahmad Al Duwaik, who provided or facilitated financial support to Hamas.
Commenting on the matter, UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron stated, "Today's sanctions will cut off Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad's access to finance and isolate them further. We will continue to work with our partners on a long-term political solution so that Israelis and Palestinians can live in peace."