Israel Goes After Hamas’ Financial System in Gaza and Abroad  

Jerusalem, 3 September, 2020 (TPS) -- Defense Minister Benny Gantz on Wednesday signed four orders to seize Hamas’ funds and property in the Gaza Strip and around the world, in a total sum of millions of shekels.

The orders are part of Israel’s economic campaign against terrorist operatives, which is being conducted by the National Headquarters for Economic Warfare against Terrorism in the Ministry of Defense together with the Shin Bet, the IDF, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other parties.

In the Gaza Strip, the Gantz signed an order to seize $900,000 from the currency exchange company Asama Albashiti for its financial activities on behalf of Hamas.

In the international arena, Gantz signed an order restricting the transfer of property and money to Rami Abdu and Khaled Turani, who serve as members of the management of the Al-Felestein organization, which operates in Britain, belongs to Hamas and was declared a designated terror group in Israel.

He also signed a similar order against Mahmoud al-Hanafi, who serves as the director-general of the Palestinian Institute for Human Rights, which operates in Lebanon, belongs to Hamas and was similarly declared a designated terror group in Israel.

The seizure and restraining orders were distributed widely to the financial systems established in Israel and around the world, a move that should lead to the imposition of additional restrictions on the targeted organizations, institutions and individuals by other entities.

Ganz stated that Israel ” will continue to act against terrorism in whatever way it operates and everywhere. The defense establishment, through the National Economic Counterterrorism Headquarters in the Ministry of Defense, will pursue terrorist organizations in Israel and around the world, and will interrupt the distribution of terrorist funds.”

Israel has issued similar orders in the past.