The United States has moved to cut off a Hamas financing network, designating a military operative based in Gaza and a France-based fundraising operation that allegedly used fraudulent charities and cryptocurrency to collect nearly $2 million for Hamas in recent years. The designations were announced by the U.S. Department of the Treasury and are part of a coordinated effort involving the Department of State and the FBI.

According to State Department Spokesman Thomas "Tommy" Pigott, the action exposes how Hamas exploits humanitarian and charitable structures abroad to disguise terrorist financing as legitimate aid work. The designations were issued under Executive Order 13224, as amended by Executive Order 13886, which serves as the United States' core counterterrorism sanctions authority.

Washington described the move as reflecting its enduring commitment to dismantling Hamas's global support networks and denying the group resources it needs to plan and carry out terrorism. The U.S. said it would continue working with partner governments, including France, to identify and hold accountable individuals and organizations providing Hamas cover to raise and transfer funds internationally.

The statement also addressed the integrity of humanitarian assistance, with U.S. officials saying that disrupting these financing networks is intended to protect legitimate aid reaching Gazan civilians and to support conditions for lasting regional stability. Washington stated its commitment to ensuring that humanitarian aid is delivered by reliable organizations advancing legitimate Palestinian interests.

Hamas was originally designated by the State Department under E.O. 13224 on October 31, 2001, for having committed, or posing a significant risk of committing, acts of terrorism threatening U.S. nationals or national security. The group is also designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization under section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act.

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