WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The U.S. imposed sanctions on six senior Hamas officials on Tuesday, the U.S. Treasury Department said, continuing its crackdown on the Palestinian militant group as Washington tried to secure a ceasefire and the release of hostages in Gaza.

The Treasury Department said in a statement that the sanctions target the group’s foreign representatives, a senior member of Hamas’ military wing and those involved in supporting the group’s fundraising efforts and arms smuggling into Gaza.

“Hamas continues to rely on key officials who appear to maintain legitimate, public-facing roles within the group, but who facilitate their terrorist activities, represent their interests abroad, and coordinate the transfer of money and goods into Gaza,” said Acting Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, Bradley Smith said in the statement.

“Treasury remains committed to disrupting Hamas’ efforts to secure additional revenue and holding accountable those who facilitate the group’s terrorist activities.”

Among those targeted was Abd al-Rahman Ismail abd al-Rahman Ghanimat, a longtime member of Hamas’ military wing now based in Turkey, the Treasury said, accusing him of being involved in several attempts and successful terrorist attacks.

Two other Turkey-based officials, a Gaza-based member who participated in Hamas engagements with Russia, and a leader authorized to speak publicly on behalf of the group and who previously oversaw Gaza border crossings were also , among those targeted, according to the Treasury. .

Gunmen led by Hamas attacked Israel in October 2023, killing 1,200 people and taking more than 250 hostages, according to Israeli accounts.

More than 43,500 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza in the past year, Palestinian health officials say, and Gaza has been reduced to a wasteland of destroyed buildings and piles of rubble, where more than two million Gazans seek shelter in makeshift tents. and face shortages. of food and medicine.

(Reporting by Daphne Psaledakis; Editing by Alistair Bell)