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US sanctions network for allegedly funneling $2M to Hamas
The United States Treasury has imposed sanctions on three individuals and two France-based charities for allegedly operating a sophisticated network that funneled over $2 million to Hamas. The network, active between 2020 and 2026, reportedly used deceptive charitable fronts and cryptocurrency to move funds under the guise of providing humanitarian relief to civilians in Gaza.
The sanctioned individuals include Saleem Abdallah Saleem Al-Zaq, identified as a Hamas member overseeing the financial network, as well as Faouzi Barika and Amel Oualid. Barika and Oualid are linked to the French organizations Association Baraka and Ensemble C Mieux. According to the Treasury, $1.5 million of the total funds were collected following the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel.
In a related legal development, federal prosecutors have unsealed an indictment against Saleem Alzaq, alleging he helped run a fundraising operation that solicited more than $1.7 million. This specific operation included at least $626,000 in donations from individuals based in the United States. Alzaq faces multiple charges, including conspiracy to provide material support to Hamas and money laundering.
Entities
Amel Oualid · Association Baraka · Ensemble C Mieux · Faouzi Barika · Hamas · Saleem Abdallah Saleem Al-Zaq · United States Department of the Treasury
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] At least $626,000 was donated by individuals based in the United States. internewscast.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Federal prosecutors allege Saleem Alzaq helped run a fundraising operation that claimed to provide humanitarian relief to Palestinians in Gaza. internewscast.com
- [● 6 SOURCES] The network raised more than $2 million between 2020 and 2026. www.arabnews.pk · www.estrepublicain.fr · jornaldebrasilia.com.br · www.ledauphine.com · www.sbctv.gr · +1 more
- [● 5 SOURCES] The US sanctioned Faouzi Barika and Amel Oualid, who are linked to the French charities Association Baraka and Ensemble C Mieux. www.arabnews.pk · www.estrepublicain.fr · jornaldebrasilia.com.br · www.ledauphine.com · www.businessdaily.gr
- [● 6 SOURCES] The US Treasury stated that the network used deceptive charitable fronts and cryptocurrency to move over $2 million to Hamas. www.arabnews.pk · jornaldebrasilia.com.br · www.sbctv.gr · www.businessdaily.gr · www.estrepublicain.fr · +1 more
- [● 5 SOURCES] $1.5 million of the funds were collected after the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel. www.arabnews.pk · www.estrepublicain.fr · jornaldebrasilia.com.br · www.ledauphine.com · www.businessdaily.gr
- [● 6 SOURCES] The network utilized cryptocurrency channels to transfer funds. www.arabnews.pk · www.estrepublicain.fr · jornaldebrasilia.com.br · www.ledauphine.com · www.sbctv.gr · +1 more
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Saleem Alzaq faces charges including conspiracy to provide material support to Hamas and money laundering. internewscast.com