The European Union sanctioned Hamas’ military wing
On Friday, April 12, the European Union placed the military wing and special forces of Hamas, as well as the military wing of Palestinian Islamic Jihad, on the human rights sanctions list 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 Hamas’ elite forces, 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 mentioned that militants from these two Palestinian groups systematically committed sexual and gender-based violence and used it as a weapon.