The European Union sanctions Hamas military branch

The European Union has imposed sanctions on the military branch of Hamas.

On Friday, April 12, the European Union placed the military wing and special forces of Hamas, as well as the military branch of Palestinian Islamic Jihad, on the list of human rights sanctions due to their responsibility for sexual and gender-based violence during the October 7th attack on Israel.

The European Union announced that the Qassam and Al-Quds brigades, as well as elite forces of Hamas, are now subject to asset freezes and travel bans to Europe, and any direct or indirect financial transactions with them are now prohibited.

In a statement, the European Union stated that members of these two Palestinian groups have systematically committed sexual and gender-based violence and used it as a weapon.