News - World: A US agency reported that the US has called on Gulf Arab states to help clamp down on a suspected increase in fundraising by Hamas following its attack on the Zionist entity earlier this month.

Bloomberg stated that Washington has called on Arab Gulf countries to "help tighten the noose on the expected increase in fundraising by the Hamas movement."

The agancy cited a US official, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to the delicate discussions underway, saying that Biden administration is asking its Gulf Arab allies to look as closely as possible at the operations of previously sanctioned Hamas-linked charities and entities in their jurisdictions as well as any suspicious activities by newly created ones.

It added that a previously scheduled meeting of the Riyadh-based Terrorist Financing Targeting Center — a body formed in 2017 including the US, Saudi Arabia and five other Gulf Arabic states — was brought forward to Monday this week from next month, according to the US Treasury.

At the meeting, Bloomberg added, US Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, Brian Nelson, urged Gulf Cooperation Council member states to share intelligence that could be used to impose sanctions unilaterally or jointly against individuals and entities. He said the aim is to stop any attempt by Hamas to leverage its Oct. 7 incursion to amass donations and other funds.

The agency reported that after the meeting in Saudi Arabia, Nelson traveled to the Qatari capital of Doha. Qatari officials declined to comment. Saudi officials did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

“The UAE is committed to combating illegal financial activities such as money laundering and financing of terrorism,” a UAE official said.

This American endeavor comes at a time when Washington is expressing its support for the Israeli occupation in its ongoing aggression against the Gaza Strip since October 7th, under the pretext of "self-defense."

This support is manifested through visits by American officials to the occupied territories, alignment with the Israeli narrative in conveying events, as well as providing financial and military support to the occupation.

 

#US #UAE #Hamas #Qatar #Saudi Arabia About 6 months