Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) took action against individuals and entities involved in fundraising for the terrorist group known as Hamas. Following the October 7, 2023 terrorist attack on Israel perpetrated by Hamas, Gaza Now engaged in fundraising activities to support the group.
What is Gaza Now?
Gaza Now News Network is a Hamas-aligned Palestinian news agency based in Gaza. Its Telegram channel, Facebook page, and television station are among the most popular in Gaza, rapidly growing in popularity during the 2023 Israel-Hamas war.
Gaza Now, led by its founder Mustafa Ayash, partnered with Al-Qureshi Executives and Aakhirah Limited, directed by Aozma Sultana, in multiple fundraising campaigns. This action is part of a collaborative effort with the United Kingdom’s Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation, which is also imposing sanctions on these targets.
Crypto Donations to Gaza Now
History of OFAC Sanctions
Since the October 7, 2023, terrorist attack, the United States and the UK have conducted three coordinated sanctions actions targeting Hamas fundraising activities.
- These actions included designations on November 14, 2023, against Hamas leaders and financiers. OFAC designated key Hamas officials and the mechanisms by which Iran provides support to Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ)
- Gaza-based Ismail Musa Ahmad Barhum (Ismail Barhum) was elected by the Hamas Shura Council as a member of the Gaza Strip Political Bureau and was designated by OFAC on December 13, 2023
- On January 22, 2024, against additional Hamas financial networks and facilitators of virtual currency transfers. Gaza-based financial facilitator Zuhair Shamlakh (Zuhair) is a Gaza-based moneychanger who facilitated the funds transfers in the tens of millions of dollars from Iran to Hamas.
Aozma Sultana, director of Al-Qureshi Executives and Aakhirah Limited, has played a significant role in supporting Gaza Now’s fundraising efforts. Sultana and her companies have provided substantial financial support to Gaza Now and promoted their partnership during joint fundraising events after the October 7 terrorist attack.
OFAC is designating Sultana and her companies under E.O. 13224 for materially assisting Gaza Now and being owned, controlled, or directed by Sultana. This action underscores the international community’s resolve to disrupt the financial networks that enable terrorist organizations like Hamas to operate and carry out attacks.
