Washington (United States) (AFP) - The United States sanctioned three people and two charities based in France on Friday, accusing them of being part of a network that would have raised more than two million dollars for the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas.

First modification: 02/10/2026 - 21:18

According to the Treasury Department, in charge of sanctions, a complex financing network was exposed to transfer funds to Hamas, including in cryptocurrencies, through charities acting as fronts.

Among those sanctioned is Saleem Abdallah Saleem al Zaq, identified as a Hamas member who oversees the financial network and works with the group's media office.

The punitive measures also cover Faouzi Barika and Amel Oualid, linked to the French-based charities Association Baraka and Ensemble C Mieux, also sanctioned on Friday.

The United States Department of Justice announced this Friday the arrest in France of Oualid, 39, and Barika, 35. A third person, Nordine Barika, was also detained by French authorities in this case, it added.

The operation was carried out by agents of the General Directorate of Internal Security of France, but the statement does not specify the date of the arrest or possible subsequent judicial proceedings.

Barika and Oualid "operate from France, where they run purported charities that ostensibly raise money for humanitarian purposes to help civilians in Gaza," the US Treasury said.

He noted that this network raised more than $2 million between 2020 and 2026, of which $1.5 million was obtained after the October 7, 2023 attack by Hamas against Israel.

That attack sparked an Israeli military offensive on Gaza that left vast areas of the Palestinian territory reduced to rubble and more than 74,000 dead, according to figures endorsed by the UN.

The Israeli offensive aroused global sympathy for the Palestinian cause, although Israel's allied governments avoided outright condemnation.

© 2026 AFP

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