The US on Wednesday, 31 January, put the head of Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas, Ismail Haniya, on its terror blacklist and slapped sanctions on him - a move sure to raise tensions, after Washington recognised Jerusalem as Israel's capital.
Haniya has close links with Hamas’ military wing and has been a proponent of armed struggle, including against civilians...He has reportedly been involved in terrorist attacks against Israeli citizens. Hamas has been responsible for an estimated 17 American lives killed in terrorist attacks.US State Department statement
Haniya is now on the US Treasury sanctions blacklist, which freezes any US-based assets he may have and bans any US person or company from doing business with him.
Hamas Slams US for Listing its Chief as Terrorist
In the meantime, the Islamist Hamas movement slammed the US decision to list Hamas chief Haniya among the world's terrorists, reported IANS.
The movement's leaders considered the US decision as "ridiculous." They said that the Palestinian people are not waiting for a good behaviour certificate to receive from the Americans.
Hamas spokesman in Gaza, Hazem Qasem, said that listing Ismail Haniya on the list of terrorists is 'a failed attempt to keep pressure on the Palestinian armed resistance, Xinhua reported.
This will never break our determination to carry on with resistance and stick to it until getting rid of the Israeli occupationHazem Qasem
He added that Haniya will sacrifice himself and all of what he owns for the sake of his people and their just cause.
Meanwhile, member of Hamas politburo Husam Badran said in a press statement that “after President Trump’s decision on Jerusalem, such a decision is no longer surprising or excluded,” referring to Washington’s recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel last month.
(With inputs from PTI and IANS)
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