U.S. Treasury sanctions flotilla organisers, Muslim Brotherhood networks backing Hamas

Crime Diary, International

WASHINGTON, D.C. (NPA) — The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has announced sweeping sanctions against individuals and organisations linked to Hamas, targeting both the organisers of a pro‑Hamas flotilla attempting to reach Gaza and key actors within Muslim Brotherhood networks that support the militant group.

The action, unveiled on May 19, 2026, reinforces Washington’s determination to dismantle Hamas’s global financial and logistical support structures.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent described the flotilla as “a ludicrous attempt to undermine President Trump’s successful progress toward lasting peace in the region,” adding that the U.S. will continue to sever Hamas’s international funding channels.

The flotilla was organised by the Popular Conference for Palestinians Abroad (PCPA), a group Washington says is clandestinely controlled by Hamas. OFAC designated four individuals: Saif Hashim Kamel Abukishek, a Spain‑based member of PCPA’s General Secretariat and a central figure in the flotilla’s Steering Committee; Hisham Abdallah Sulayman Abu Mahfuz, acting Secretary General and President of PCPA based in Jordan; Mohammed Khatib, Belgium‑based European coordinator for Samidoun, a PFLP front organisation; and Jaldia Abubakra Aueda, Samidoun’s coordinator in Madrid.

Treasury noted that so‑called humanitarian flotillas linked to sanctioned groups pose significant compliance risks for financial institutions. It emphasised that legitimate humanitarian aid must be safeguarded, while terrorist‑linked operations will be disrupted.

The sanctions also extend to Hamas‑aligned religious networks. In 2014, Hamas leaders created a coordinating body to align religious discourse with its ideology, appointing Marwan Abu Ras as head. OFAC designated Abu Ras and the Palestinian Scholars Association for acting on behalf of Hamas.

OFAC further targeted operatives tied to HASM, an Egypt‑based violent offshoot of the Muslim Brotherhood. Karim Sayed Ahmed Moghny, a Hamas operative who directed militant activity and collaborated with HASM, was designated for supporting both Hamas and HASM. Muhammad Jamal Hassan al‑Najjar, involved in weapons acquisition and funding Hamas salaries, was also sanctioned. Sherif Ahmed Ewis Ahmed, a senior HASM official linked to explosives procurement, was added to the list.

Under Executive Order 13224, all property and interests of the designated individuals in the U.S. are blocked. U.S. persons are prohibited from engaging in transactions with them, and foreign financial institutions risk secondary sanctions if they facilitate significant dealings.

Treasury emphasised that the goal of sanctions is not punishment but behavioural change. OFAC reiterated that individuals may petition for removal from the Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) List if they demonstrate compliance with U.S. law.

Hamas, designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organisation since 2001, continues to rely on international partners to expand its influence and sustain violent operations. The latest sanctions highlight Washington’s strategy of targeting both direct operatives and the wider networks — including flotilla organisers, religious institutions, and Brotherhood affiliates — that enable Hamas’s activities.

By striking at these financial and organisational lifelines, the U.S. aims to reinforce its broader diplomatic push for peace in Gaza while curbing the reach of groups accused of undermining stability in the Middle East.