Global General

US imposes sanctions on two Hamas entities

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-03-19 01:16

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Department of Treasury announced on Thursday that it has imposed sanctions against two entities in Gaza for their alleged close ties with the ruling Islamic movement Hamas.

The Treasury said in a statement that it has designated the Islamic National Bank (INB) of Gaza for being controlled by Hamas and for providing financial services to Hamas members and employees, including members of the organization's military wing. The department also designated Al-Aqsa Television, a television station in Gaza, as being financed and controlled by Hamas.

The sanctions, according to the statement, freeze any assets INB or Al-Aqsa Television hold under U.S. jurisdiction and prohibit U.S. persons from engaging in any transactions with these parties.

The U.S. Treasury said the INB, opened by Hamas in Gaza City in April 2009, lacks a legal license from the Palestinian Monetary Authority (PMA), operates outside the legitimate financial system, and is not in compliance with Palestinian Authority (PA) banking or securities regulations.

As to Al-Aqsa, the department said the television is a primary Hamas media outlet and airs programs and music videos designed to recruit children to become Hamas armed fighters and suicide bombers upon reaching adulthood.