The US Treasury Department has imposed sanctions on Hudhayfa Samir ‘Abdallah al-Kahlut, also known as Abu Ubaida, for his involvement in Hamas’s cyber influence operations and threats against civilian hostages. Al-Kahlut, along with two others, is implicated in activities such as procuring servers and domains to support Hamas’s terrorist activities. These sanctions aim to disrupt Hamas’s cyber warfare capabilities and production of unmanned aerial vehicles, aligning with recent efforts to counter global threats to critical infrastructure.
In addition to targeting al-Kahlut, the sanctions also apply to William Abu Shanab and Bara’a Hasan Farhat for their role in manufacturing unmanned aerial vehicles used by Hamas in terrorist operations. Abu Shanab and Farhat are part of the Lebanon-based al-Shimali unit, with Abu Shanab serving as a commander. The joint action by the US Treasury Department underscores a concerted effort to dismantle Hamas’s terrorist infrastructure and prevent further attacks.
The European Union has also imposed sanctions against Hamas’s armed wings, Al-Qassam Brigades and Al-Quds Brigades, as well as Nukhba Force, for their involvement in terrorist attacks targeting Israel. These measures, coordinated with the US sanctions, demonstrate international resolve to combat terrorism and disrupt organizations engaged in violent activities. Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Brian E. Nelson emphasizes the importance of disrupting Hamas’s cyber warfare capabilities and production of UAVs to prevent future attacks.
This development follows previous US sanctions against Iranian officials associated with cyberattacks on critical infrastructure entities. The concerted efforts by the US and the EU to sanction individuals and entities involved in terrorism and cyber warfare reflect a broader strategy to address global security threats and protect against potential attacks on critical infrastructure.
