In a recent development, European Union member states collectively added Yahya Sinwar, a prominent political leader of Hamas, to the EU’s terrorist list on Tuesday.
This designation empowers the EU to enact measures such as freezing Sinwar’s funds and other financial assets within member states. Additionally, EU-based operators are prohibited from providing economic resources to him.
Hailing from Gaza, Sinwar is recognized as a pivotal figure connecting the political and military facets of Hamas. Elected as the commander of the organization’s armed forces and overall leader in Gaza in 2017, he had faced multiple arrests by Israel before being released as part of a prisoner exchange in 2011.
The United States had previously added Sinwar to its terrorism list in 2015.
Sinwar is reportedly linked to the deadly October 7 attack that contributed to the ongoing conflict with Israel. Last December, the UK included him in a set of sanctions targeting various senior leaders of Hamas.
Hamas, designated as a terrorist organization by the EU and other Western allies, has faced increasing pressure. Sinwar now joins the ranks of Mohammed Deif and Marwan Issa, both senior commanders of Hamas’ military wing, the Brigades Ezzedin al-Qassam, who were personally sanctioned by the EU on December 8.
The primary goal of these sanctions is to curtail Hamas’ financial resources and hinder its militants from orchestrating further attack
