The Council of the European Union announced on Friday that it had added the military and special forces wings of Hamas and the armed wing of Palestinian Islamic Jihad to its sanctions list "in view of their responsibilities in the brutal and indiscriminate terrorist attacks that occurred across Israel on October 7, 2023."
The entities targeted are accused of "widespread sexual and gender-based violence" and are now subjected to an asset freeze, restrictions on accessing funds or economic resources, and a travel ban to the EU.
On January 16, the Council imposed sanctions against the "terrorist organization's" political leader, Yahia Sinouar. In the following weeks, it restricted the assets and travel of six individuals believed to be affiliated with Hamas and the PIJ. The Council also emphasized that "all those who support, materially or financially," Hamas or any other Palestinian factions will face the same consequences.