Washington sanctions Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood official, others tied to Hamas

The U.S. Treasury Department sanctioned a senior Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood official, Mahmoud al-Abyari, and three other individuals, along with three entities, for allegedly aiding Hamas. Al-Abyari, based in the UK, was accused of supporting fundraising for U.S.-sanctioned institutions linked to Hamas and providing financial assistance to the group. The sanctioned entities include two “sham charities,” Tujah Bulah Global (Indonesia) and Madad Palestine Charitable Society (Gaza), which the Treasury Department stated were created by Hamas for fundraising. Additionally, Turkey-based money exchanger El-Kahira for General Trading, its owner, and two shareholders were sanctioned for transferring hundreds of thousands of dollars to Hamas. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated, “Whether operating under the guise of charities, businesses or underground financial networks, those who enable Hamas will be exposed, sanctioned and held accountable.” These actions mark the third set of Muslim Brotherhood sanctions this year, following earlier designations of Egyptian, Jordanian, and Lebanese Brotherhood chapters as specially designated global terrorists due to their support for Hamas.