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U.S. Policy on Terrorism: Designation of Hamas Operative as Foreign Terrorist

(September 22, 2011)

Office of the Spokesperson
Washington, DC
September 22, 2011

Terrorist Designation of HAMAS Operative Muhammad Hisham Muhammad Isma'il Abu Ghazala

The State Department has designated Muhammad Hisham Muhammad Isma’il Abu Ghazala under E.O. 13224, which targets terrorists and those providing support to terrorists or acts of terrorism. This action will help stem the flow of finances to Abu Ghazala by prohibiting U.S. persons from engaging in transactions with him and freezing any assets he may have under U.S. jurisdiction.

Abu Ghazala is a HAMAS operative. In addition to his involvement with HAMAS, he has links to Iran, the world’s leading State Sponsor of Terrorism, and al-Qa’ida. He is an improvised explosive device (IED) facilitator with connections to multiple IED networks throughout northern Iraq and is also responsible for disseminating numerous remote detonation device designs used by former regime elements and terror organizations in Iraq. He has worked with rockets and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). A Central Criminal Court of Iraq arrest warrant for Abu Ghazala was pending as of July 2, 2006, as was a $50,000 award for information leading to his capture.

Designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization since 1997, HAMAS has carried out attacks – such as suicide bombings, rocket launches, improvised explosive device attacks, and shootings – against civilian targets inside Israel.

Abu Ghazala plays an integral role in HAMAS and this action is designed to highlight the threat posed by Abu Ghazala while simultaneously assisting and complementing the law enforcement actions of other U.S. agencies.


Sources: U.S. State Department