(JTA) — The United States is imposing financial penalties on two Lebanese charities that raise money for Hamas.
The U.S. Treasury Department said it was freezing any assets related to the two Beirut-based charities, Al-Waqfiya and Al-Quds International Foundation, Reuters reported. The department. said that Al-Waqfiya and Al-Quds "exist to support the families of Hamas fighters" as well as financing projects in the Palestinian territories "intended to spread Hamas’ influence and control."
It is not known whether the two charities hold U.S. assets; the Treasury Department. did not provide details on any assets under U.S. jurisdiction and declined to comment when asked, the report said.
Four years ago, the U.S. Treasury imposed economic sanctions on the Union of Good, of which Al-Waqfiya is a central component. The Union of Good was accused of fundraising for Hamas-based groups in the West Bank and Gaza, and some of those funds were used to compensate families of suicide bombers.
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