US sanctions against Hamas official and financial network

On Tuesday, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control designated a Hamas finance official as well as a network of Hamas financial facilitators and six companies that have generated revenue for the terrorist group through the management of an international investment portfolio.

A statement posted on the U.S. Treasury Department website revealed that Hamas’s Investment Office held assets estimated to be worth more than $500 million.

The statement added that both Hamas’s Shura Council and Executive Committee exercise control and oversight of the group’s international investment portfolio, the Investment Office is in charge of the day-to-day management of this investment portfolio.

“Today’s action targets the individuals and companies that Hamas uses to conceal and launder funds,” said Assistant Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorist Financing and Financial Crimes Elizabeth Rosenberg.

According to the United States Treasury Department, “Hamas has generated vast sums of revenue through its secret investment portfolio while destabilizing Gaza, which is facing harsh living and economic conditions. Hamas maintains a violent agenda that harms Palestinians.”

The United States is committed to denying Hamas the ability to generate and move funds and to holding Hamas accountable for its role in promoting and carrying out violence in the region.

Who are the senior official of Hamas investment office?

Ahmed Sharif Abdallah Odeh

Ahmed Sharif Abdallah Odeh, a Jordanian national, was in charge of the international investment portfolio until 2017. Even after Odeh stepped down as the Investment Office chief, he oversaw the Investment Office on behalf of Hamas’s Shura Council.

Odeh regularly met with senior Hamas officials, gave presentations about the portfolio’s business activities, and coordinated financial transfers on behalf of the group.

Usama Ali

In mid-2017, Usama Ali was appointed as the head of the Investment Office, a position from which he coordinated financial transfers to Hamas. Although he did not maintain an official role in companies associated with the investment portfolio, he was involved in their business activities. In addition to managing Hamas’s investment portfolio.

As of early 2019, Usama Ali was a Hamas operative and member of Hamas’s Shura Council. Additionally, Usama Ali served on Hamas’s Executive Committee, and maintained direct contact with senior Hamas leaders, including Political Bureau Chief Ismail Haniyeh, Political Bureau Deputy Chief Salih al-Aruri, financial official Zahar Jabarin, and others.

Hisham Younis Yahia Qafisheh

Hisham Younis Yahia Qafisheh is a Turkey-based Jordanian national who served as Usama Ali’s deputy and played an important role in transferring funds on behalf of various companies linked to Hamas’s investment portfolio.

Qafisheh was involved in managing the operations or held key roles in several companies.

Abdallah Yusuf Faisal Sabri

Abdallah Yusuf Faisal Sabri, a Kuwait-based Jordanian national, is an accountant who has worked in the Hamas Finance Ministry for several years. He is a Hamas financial official and representative, has been an important figure in the terrorist organization since 2006, and played a role in expanding Hamas’s reach in the region.

Sabri has managed Hamas’s operational expenses and oversaw the transfer of large sums of money on behalf of Hamas, which he sent to members, units and industries of Hamas.

Sidar Company and Itqan Real Estate JSC

Both appeared to operate as legitimate businesses, but in practice, were controlled by Hamas and transferred money to the group. A significant portion of funds transferred by these companies to Hamas were allocated to the group’s military arm, the Izz-Al-Din Al-Qassam Brigades.