Australia has joined the US and UK in levelling new sanctions against Hamas, by targeting the ways in which the militant group generates funds.
Assistant Foreign Affairs Minister Tim Watts says the world has seen a “harrow loss” of innocent life in Gaza and it “needs to stop”.
Mr Watts’ comments come as Israeli airstrikes continue in the region with reports of the death toll rising above 24,000.
“We’ve also said that the way Israel exercises its right to self-defence matters.
“While Hamas has flagrantly trashed international law, international humanitarian law – Israel as a democracy is held to a higher standard as all democracies bring on to themselves.
“We’ve called on them to live up to their commitment to live up to and uphold international law.”
Tuesday’s announcement is the fifth round of measures introduced by the three countries, with the latest package focusing on Hamas’ use of cryptocurrency as a method of transferring funds.
In a statement, the US Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), which coordinates the sanctions effort, said the measures included transfers between the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Qods Force (IRGC-QF) to Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad in Gaza, demonstrating further Iran’s deep influence of the actions of both groups.
The IRGC-QF, one of five branches of Iran’s IRGC, has long been identified as the principle mechanism through which Tehran seeks to fund the spread of hostilities against Western and other democratic nations worldwide.
Australia has joined the United States and United Kingdom in a new effort to place new financial sanctions on Hamas and key officials supporting the militant group. Picture: Ali Jadallah/Anadolu via Getty Images
Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, Ms Wong confirmed Australia’s involvement in coordinating the sanctions.
“Overnight Australia has imposed further counter-terrorism and financing sanctions on 12 persons and three entities who are linked to Hamas, Hezbollah and Palestinian Islamic Jihad,” she said.
“This is concurrent with further sanctions imposed on Hamas-linked targets by the United States, United Kingdom and the European Union.”
Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, Foreign Minister Penny Wong confirmed Australia’s involvement in coordinating the sanctions. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Morgan Sette
Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Brian E. Nelson added in a statement that the US and its allies would continue to target Hamas and those supporting the militant group.
“Hamas has sought to leverage a variety of financial transfer mechanisms, including the exploitation of cryptocurrency, to channel funds to support the group’s terrorist activities,” he said.
“Treasury, in close coordination with our allies and partners, will continue to leverage our authorities to target Hamas, its financiers, and its international financial infrastructure.”
Two main groups were targeted in the sanctions, the Shamlakh and Herzallah Networks, with both playing a role in financing Hamas’ operations via transferring or laundering funds.
Thousands in Israel have taken to the streets of Tel Aviv to protest against Benjamin Netanyahu’s government.
Those in attendance accused the Israeli Prime minister of mishandling the nation’s security, calling for early elections and an immediate change in leadership.
The calls come as the Netanyahu government receives criticism for their handling of the attacks on Gaza following the October 7 attacks.
The protest was made up of Israeli Jews of all ages.
Protestors briefly cut through a separate rally demanding the immediate return of hostages still held by Hamas.
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According to OFAC, several members of the Shamlakh family had acted as the “main end point for funds transferred from the IRGC-QF to Hamas and PIJ in Gaza,” for several years, specifically channelling finances to the al Qassam Brigades, Hamas’ military wing.
Meanwhile, Gaza-based Herzallah Exchange and General Trading Company LLC, known as Herzallah Exchange, was described by OFAC as the “primary money launderer for Hamas”, including through the use of cryptocurrencies.
Measures were levelled against several individuals tied to both groups, as well as a number of other officials based in Gaza and elsewhere who assisted militant groups either acquire or launder finances.
As a result of the sanctions, companies or individuals with links to the groups or other targeted individuals must notify Australian, US, or UK financial regulators, depending on their country of operations, and anyone found to have dealings with those listed in the announcement could be subject to fines or other penalties.
