Israel’s retaliatory actions have killed at least 32,414 people in Gaza (file photo)
Washington:
U.S. and British authorities on Wednesday announced sanctions against two people and three companies linked to the popular media channel Gaza Now for raising money in support of Hamas.
The U.S. Treasury Department said in a statement that Gaza Now and its founder Mustafa Ayash began raising money for Hamas in the wake of the unprecedented attack by Hamas on October 7. Gaza Now’s popular Telegram channel has more than 1.8 million followers.
That attack killed about 1,160 people in Israel, mostly civilians, and captured about 250 hostages, according to an AFP tally of official Israeli data.
Israel’s retaliatory actions have killed at least 32,414 people in Gaza, mostly women and children, according to the Health Ministry of the Hamas-controlled territory.
“Treasury remains committed to reducing Hamas’s ability to fund its terrorist activities, including through online fundraising campaigns directly to The organization funnels money.”
The U.S. Treasury Department accused the group of “providing material assistance, sponsoring, or providing financial, material, or technical support, or goods or services, or support to Hamas.”
The U.S. also announced sanctions against Ozma Sultana, a director of two companies that it said “provided thousands of dollars to Gaza Now and engaged in a joint fundraising event shortly after the October 7 terrorist attacks.” Promote Gaza Now as a partner”.
The Treasury’s action coincides with similar actions by UK authorities.
“The UK government has announced a full asset freeze on two individuals suspected of providing financial support to Gaza Now, a news organization that promotes Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad terror groups,” the Treasury said in a statement.
They added: “All funding and economic resources in the UK belonging to or controlled by Sultana and Ayyash have been frozen.”
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
