Treasury Targets Flotilla Organizers and Muslim Brotherhood Networks Supporting Hamas

WASHINGTON—Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) is taking action against four individuals associated with the pro-Hamas flotilla organized by the U.S.-designated Popular Conference for Palestinians Abroad (PCPA) that is attempting to access Gaza in support of Hamas.  OFAC is also taking action against key actors operating within Hamas-aligned Muslim Brotherhood networks.  Hamas relies on a diverse web of international partners to expand its malign political influence, facilitate violent terrorist activity, and undermine international efforts to achieve lasting peace in Gaza.“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,” said Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent. “Treasury will continue to sever Hamas’ global financial support networks, no matter where in the world they are.”Today’s action is being taken pursuant to the counterterrorism authority, Executive Order (E.O.) 13224, as amended.  On October 31, 2001, the U.S. Department of State designated Hamas pursuant to E.O. 13224 for having committed, or posing a significant risk of committing, acts of terrorism that threaten the security of U.S. nationals, or the national security, foreign policy, or economy of the United States. Hamas is also designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization pursuant to section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act. TERRORIST-LINKED FLOTILLASAs outlined in OFAC’s October 2024 and January 2026 press releases, Samidoun—a front organization for the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP)—and the PCPA are clandestinely controlled by, or act on behalf of, sanctioned Palestinian terrorist organizations.  Samidoun serves as a fundraising platform in countries where the PFLP otherwise faces legal restrictions.  The PCPA similarly claims it represents the interests of the Palestinian diaspora.  In reality, the PCPA was established with funding from Hamas’s International Relations Bureau and Hamas directs its activity through the placement of Hamas officials throughout the organization, including its executive body, the General Secretariat.  So-called humanitarian flotillas that are organized by or supporting designated parties represent a significant compliance risk for financial institutions.  Treasury, through its ongoing engagement with the nonprofit organization sector, has shaped a regulatory framework and issued guidance to further ease the delivery of legitimate humanitarian aid to conflict zones.  Treasury encourages nonprofit organizations—and their supporting financial institutions that facilitate banking services—to continue taking a risk-based approach to ensure the flow of legitimate humanitarian assistance.  As demonstrated by today’s action and OFAC’s previous January 21, 2026 designations, sanctioned terrorist groups continue to maintain significant influence over maritime flotillas to Gaza.Saif Hashim Kamel Abukishek (Abukishek) is a Spain-based member of the General Secretariat of PCPA.  Abukishek is also a central figure in the so-called humanitarian flotilla recently enroute to Gaza, serving as a member of the flotilla’s Steering Committee. Hisham Abdallah Sulayman Abu Mahfuz (Mahfuz) is the acting Secretary General and President of the PCPA based in Jordan. He previously served as the Deputy Secretary General of the PCPA from 2014 to 2017. Mohammed Khatib (Khatib) is the Belgium-based European coordinator for Samidoun. Jaldia Abubakra Aueda (Aueda) is Samidoun’s coordinator in Madrid, Spain.  Aueda also played a key role in establishing a Samidoun partner organization in 2021. Saif Hashim Kamel Abukishek and Hisham Abdallah Sulayman Abu Mahfuz are being designated pursuant to E.O. 13224, as amended, for being leaders or officials of PCPA.  Mohammed Khatib and Jaldia Abubakra Aueda are being designated pursuant to E.O. 13224, as amended, for being leaders or officials of Samidoun. MUSLIM BROTHERHOOD’S INFLUENCE IN GAZAIn 2014, senior Hamas leaders merged several religious bodies to create a new coordinating organization. This umbrella body ensured that all religious discourse in Gaza aligns with Hamas' ideology.  Marwan Abu Ras was appointed as the head of this organization. Now deceased Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar was involved with and tracked Marwan Abu Ras's activity.  This included giving direction to Marwan Abu Ras on the operations of the Palestinian Scholars Association, which Marwan Abu Ras leads, and directed him to continue his membership in other organizations on behalf of Hamas.     The Palestinian Scholars Association and Marwan Abu Ras are being designated pursuant to E.O. 13224, as amended, for having acted or purported to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, Hamas.  HASM AND MUSLIM BROTHERHOOD SUPPORT TO HAMASHASM is an Egypt-based violent offshoot of the Muslim Brotherhood that is committed to conducting terrorist attacks against civilians. Karim Sayed Ahmed Moghny (Moghny) is a leading Hamas operative who, as of 2025, directed militant activity, provided training in covert operations, and served as a key collaborator with HASM.  Both Hamas and HASM are offshoots of the Muslim Brotherhood.  Between 2021 and 2025, he formed several networks whose aim was to attack Israeli interests.  Moghny was responsible for recruiting and training individuals in military techniques, covert technical operations, and funds transfers. Muhammad Jamal Hassan Al-Najjar (al-Najjar) is another key Hamas operative.  He previously worked with HASM member Sherif Ahmed Ewis Ahmed (Ahmed) to acquire explosives, weapons, and plan attacks. Some of these efforts also involved Yahya al-Sayyid Ibrahim Musa, a U.S.-designated senior HASM official.  More recently, al-Najjar was involved in an effort to fund salaries for Hamas members. Karim Sayed Ahmed Moghny is being designated pursuant to E.O. 13224, as amended, for having acted or purported to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, Hamas.  Additionally, Moghny is also being designated pursuant to E.O. 13224, as amended, for having materially assisted, sponsored, or provided financial, material, or technological support for, or goods or services to or in support of, HASM. Muhammad Jamal Hassan al-Najjar is being designated for having materially assisted, sponsored, or provided financial, material, or technological support for, or goods or services to or in support of, Hamas.Sherif Ahmed Ewis Ahmed is being designated pursuant to E.O. 13224, as amended, for having acted or purported to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, HASM. SANCTIONS IMPLICATIONSAs a result of today’s action, all property and interests in property of the designated or blocked persons described above that are in the United States or in the possession or control of U.S. persons are blocked and must be reported to OFAC.  In addition, any entities that are owned, directly or indirectly, individually or in the aggregate, 50 percent or more by one or more blocked persons are also blocked.  Unless authorized by a general or specific license issued by OFAC, or exempt, OFAC’s regulations generally prohibit all transactions by U.S. persons or within (or transiting) the United States that involve any property or interests in property of blocked persons. Violations of U.S. sanctions may result in the imposition of civil or criminal penalties on U.S. and foreign persons.  OFAC may impose civil penalties for sanctions violations on a strict liability basis.  OFAC’s Economic Sanctions Enforcement Guidelines provide more information regarding OFAC’s enforcement of U.S. economic sanctions.  In addition, financial institutions and other persons may risk exposure to sanctions for engaging in certain transactions or activities involving designated or otherwise blocked persons.  The prohibitions include the making of any contribution or provision of funds, goods, or services by, to, or for the benefit of any designated or blocked person, or the receipt of any contribution or provision of funds, goods, or services from any such person.  Individuals located in the U.S. or abroad who provide information about sanctions violations to FinCEN’s whistleblower incentive program may be eligible for awards if the information they provide leads to a successful enforcement action that results in monetary penalties exceeding $1,000,000.Furthermore, engaging in certain transactions involving the persons designated today may risk the imposition of secondary sanctions on participating foreign financial institutions.  OFAC can prohibit or impose strict conditions on opening or maintaining, in the United States, a correspondent account or a payable-through account of a foreign financial institution that knowingly conducts or facilitates any significant transaction on behalf of a person who is designated pursuant to the relevant authority.The power and integrity of OFAC sanctions derive not only from OFAC’s ability to designate and add persons to the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List (SDN List), but also from its willingness to remove persons from the SDN List consistent with the law.  The ultimate goal of sanctions is not to punish, but to bring about a positive change in behavior.  For information concerning the process for seeking removal from an OFAC list, including the SDN List, or to submit a request, please refer to OFAC’s guidance on Filing a Petition for Removal from an OFAC List.Click here for more information on the persons designated today.###

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