Hamas and PIJ

Current EU Sanctions

In 2001, the EU included Hamas-Izz al-Din al-Qassem (the military wing of Hamas) and PIJ as terrorist groups on the annex to Council Common Position of 27 December 2001, which authorises the freezing of funds and assets and prohibits the provision of resources and services to listed groups.  In 2003, the EU amended the listing to include the entirety of Hamas (including the political arm).

In January 2024, the EU established a sanctions regime targeting individuals and entities who support Hamas and PIJ.  Individuals and entities can be listed for activities such as:

• supporting, materially or financially, Hamas or the PIJ;

• supplying, selling, or transferring arms and related materiel to the two organisations;

• supporting actions which undermine or threaten the stability or security of Israel in conjunction with Hamas and the PIJ;

• being involved in serious violations of international humanitarian law or human rights law;

• inciting or publicly provoking violent actions of the two organisations; and

• providing support to those facilitating or enabling violent action by Hamas and the PIJ (i.e. sponsors of those who sponsor the two organisations).

• Legislation

  Council Regulation (EU) 2024/386

  Council Decision (CFSP) 2024/385

• Guidance

  Annex I to Council Regulation (EU) 2024/386

• Guidance

  EU Council – sanctions against terrorism

  Humanitarian assistance in environments subject to EU sanctions

Current UK Sanctions

The UK proscribed Hamas-Izz al-Din al-Qassem and PIJ as terrorist groups in 2001 and the entirety of Hamas in 2021 making it a criminal offence to (inter alia) belong to or invite support to the groups.

The UK has designated Hamas and PIJ members under its counter-terrorism sanctions regime.

Current US Sanctions

Hamas and PIJ have been designated as foreign terrorist organisations by the US since 1997.  As a result, it is unlawful for persons subject to US jurisdiction to provide support or resources to the groups, members of the groups are prohibited from entering the US, and US financial institutions must freeze assets if it becomes aware that these belong to Hamas.

The US has designated under its terrorism sanctions regime Hamas and PIJ members and financial networks based in Palestine and other locations, including Iran, Türkiye, Lebanon, and Sudan.

• Guidance

  Palestinian Authority – guidance

  OFAC Compliance Communiqué: Guidance for the Provision of Humanitarian Assistance to the Palestinian People
• US General Licences

  General License 2 – Travel, employment, residence and maintenance transactions with the Palestinian Authority (April 12, 2006)

  General License 3 – Payment of taxes and incidental fees to the Palestinian Authority (April 12, 2006)

  General License 4 – Transactions with entities under the control of the Palestinian President and certain other entities (April 12, 2006)

  General License 5 – Concluding activities with the Palestinian Authority (April 12, 2006)

  General License 6 – In-kind donations of medicine, medical devices, and medical services (July 6, 2006)

  General License 7 – Broad authorization for U.S. persons to engage in all transactions otherwise prohibited by the terrorism sanctions programs with the Palestinian Authority (June 20, 2007)

  General License 7a – Transactions with the Palestinian Authority authorized (May 14, 2013)

Other Countries Sanctions

Australia, Canada, Japan, and New Zealand have designated Hamas and PIJ as terrorist organisations.