Another step in the effort to dry up the economic sources of terrorism:
Defense Minister Yoav Galant signed administrative orders to seize funds secretly paid by Hamas to five of its senior figures operating in Europe, totaling over $1 million, as part of an economic campaign waged by the defense establishment, together with the Shin Bet, the National Counterterrorism Headquarters in the Ministry of Defense and Military Intelligence, to harm Hamas' organizational and financial infrastructures in Europe.
The seizure orders are based on information according to which the senior figures operate under the foreign territory of the Hamas organization, headed by Khaled Mashaal. Those involved are connected to the establishment and operation of the organization's institutions, which operate under civilian cover, in order to raise funds and activists and obtain public support. There is also information according to which hundreds of thousands of dollars were transferred to these operatives to promote Hamas activity in the European arena.
Military parade of Hamas' military-terrorist wing // Photo: AFP,
The operatives in whose case the seizure orders were signed are Majed Khalil Musa al-Zeir, a resident of Germany who has been known for many years as a senior Hamas operative. Its name was included in the designation of Hamas' Europe section as a terrorist organization in 2013. Al-Zeir served in a number of bodies identified as part of Hamas and declared terrorist organizations in Israel, such as the Palestinian Return Center (PRC), which is based in Britain and operates in other European countries, and the Popular Conference of the Palestinians in Europe (PCPA).
Israeli security forces arrest um al-Fahm resident who was recruited to Hamas to carry out an attack // Police Spokesperson's Office
Another operative whose property was confiscated was Amin Azzi Abu Rashid, a senior Hamas operative from Holland, whose name was included in the designation of Hamas' Europe section as a terrorist organization in 2013. Abu Rashid was arrested in 2010 after participating in the Mavi Marmara flotilla. He serves as head of the Asraa Foundation, which is declared a terrorist organization in Israel, and also held a position in the declared Palestinian Return Center (PRC) terrorist organization.
The third person is Adel Sa'ad al-Din Hassan Darman, a Hamas operative in Austria, whose name was also included in the designation of Hamas' Europe section as a terrorist organization in 2013. Darman heads the Austrian Palestine Foundation (PHV), which is declared a terrorist organization in Israel because it is part of Hamas' fundraising network in Europe. Darman also holds a senior position in the Palestinian Popular Conference in Europe (PCPA), which is declared a terrorist organization in Israel.
Khaled Mashaal, Photo: AP
Other terrorists whose property was confiscated were Muhammad Mahmoud Ahmad 'Awad/Hanoun, from Italy, and Amer Ali Amer 'Awawda, a resident of Germany. The two carried out similar activities for Hamas in the countries where they live.
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