SouthernWorldwide.com – The Trump administration has accused Hamas of backing a Gaza-bound flotilla through activist and Muslim Brotherhood-linked networks, leading to sanctions against several organizers involved in the effort.
The sanctions, announced by the Treasury and State Departments, also targeted activists associated with Samidoun, an anti-Israel activist network identified by U.S. officials as a front for the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP). Operatives linked to Muslim Brotherhood networks aligned with Hamas were also included.
The PFLP is designated as a foreign terrorist organization by the U.S. The Muslim Brotherhood has also been designated a terrorist organization by governments such as the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. Both groups are Islamist organizations aiming to establish Islamic theocracies governed by Sharia law.
These sanctions were imposed after the Israeli navy intercepted dozens of boats from the flotilla in international waters near Cyprus, detaining hundreds of activists. While flotilla participants stated their mission was to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza and challenge Israel’s blockade, Israeli officials characterized the effort as a political provocation.
This action serves as a warning to a broader activist ecosystem in the U.S. that has supported the flotilla campaign. This ecosystem involves a nexus of Islamist and pro-communist organizations, including CodePink and the People’s Forum. These non-profits are funded by Neville Roy Singham, an American Marxist expatriate living in Shanghai, who promotes the agenda of the Chinese Communist Party.
Medea Benjamin, co-founder of CodePink, published a video protesting the detention of flotilla members, calling Israel a “pariah state.” The People’s Forum had previously demanded the release of other detained activists. The sanctions align with the Treasury Department’s strategy of targeting networks that use humanitarian or civil-society branding to promote causes aligned with Hamas.
ISRAEL CLAIMS NO AID WAS FOUND ABOARD GAZA-BOUND FLOTILLA
“The pro-terror flotilla attempting to reach Gaza is a ludicrous attempt to undermine President Trump’s successful progress toward lasting peace in the region,” stated Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. He added, “Treasury will continue to sever Hamas’ global financial support networks, no matter where in the world they are.”
This move reflects increasing scrutiny from U.S. officials regarding the role of activist, nonprofit, and international support networks in amplifying or supporting groups designated as terrorist organizations.
The sanctions will freeze any U.S.-based assets of the designated individuals and generally prohibit Americans and U.S.-based entities from engaging in business with them.
The State Department outlined that the designations target three categories of individuals identified as Hamas enablers: organizers of the Hamas-backed flotilla, operatives within Hamas-aligned Muslim Brotherhood networks facilitating terrorist attacks, and coordinators linked to Samidoun.
Among those sanctioned is Spain-based Saif Hashim Kamel Abukishek, a member of the Popular Conference for Palestinians Abroad, who Treasury officials identified as serving on the flotilla’s steering committee. Hisham Abdallah Sulayman Abu Mahfuz, based in Jordan and acting as the secretary general and president of the Popular Conference for Palestinians Abroad, was also sanctioned.
The Treasury also sanctioned Belgium-based Samidoun coordinator Mohammed Khatib and Madrid-based activist Jaldia Abubakra Aueda, who officials accused of aiding in the coordination of the group’s activities in Europe.
TURKEY’S NATO ROLE UNDER SCRUTINY AMID NEW REPORT ON HAMAS, MUSLIM BROTHERHOOD TIES
Treasury has previously identified Samidoun as a platform for fundraising and support for the PFLP in countries where the group faces legal restrictions.
The sanctions package also encompassed several operatives linked to Hamas-aligned Muslim Brotherhood networks, including members connected to Harakat Sawa’d Misr (HASM), an Egyptian-based militant offshoot of the Muslim Brotherhood.
“Hamas uses these enablers to sustain its position in Gaza, finance its operations, and engage in terrorist violence beyond its borders,” the State Department stated. “Today’s action exposes how Hamas exploits diaspora organizations, religious institutions, and purported civil society groups to advance its malign agenda while claiming humanitarian objectives.”
Treasury accused Karim Sayed Ahmed Moghny, one of the sanctioned individuals, of directing militant activity, training operatives in covert operations, and collaborating with HASM on attacks targeting Israeli interests.
Marwan Abu Ras and the Palestinian Scholars Association were also sanctioned by Treasury. Officials accused them of helping to align religious institutions in Gaza with Hamas’ ideology.
These sanctions were implemented as Israeli forces intercepted the remaining flotilla vessels, detaining hundreds of activists on board, according to The Associated Press.
Flotilla organizers reported that 428 activists from over 40 countries were detained after Israeli forces stopped approximately 41 vessels in international waters off Cyprus.
Amnesty International called for the release of the flotilla activists, including Abukishek, describing the mission as a “peaceful solidarity mission” aimed at breaking Israel’s blockade of Gaza.
Read more : GOP's Future 'Destroyed' After Trump-Backed Challenger Defeats Massie in Primary
Turkey and Hamas condemned Israel’s interception of the flotilla. Ireland’s prime minister described the operation in international waters as “absolutely unacceptable.”
