World

EU Targets Hamas Leaders: New Sanctions to Freeze Assets, Ban Travel

EU approved sanctions on 10 Hamas members: asset freezes and travel bans are planned.

September 17, 2025, 4:39 PM

Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar speaking at a conference with a crowd and city in the background

Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar speaks during a conference in Gaza City, with a crowd and a backdrop of the city. By Anas-Mohammed / Shutterstock.com.

Executive Summary

The European Commission has approved proposals for individual sanctions against 10 members of the Hamas political bureau.

The proposed sanctions include asset freezes and a ban on entry into EU territory for the targeted individuals.

These proposed individual sanctions require formal approval from the European Council to officially take effect.

The Story So Far

The European Union’s decision to propose individual sanctions against Hamas political bureau members is rooted in its long-standing classification of Hamas as a terrorist organization. This existing designation provides the overarching framework for the new measures, underscoring the EU’s commitment to address groups engaged in terrorist activities and aiming to directly restrict the financial and operational capabilities of Hamas’s leadership.

Why This Matters

The European Commission’s approval of individual sanctions against 10 Hamas political bureau members signals a significant escalation in the EU’s efforts to curtail the group’s influence, directly impacting its leadership through asset freezes and travel bans across EU territory. This move reinforces the EU’s established stance against Hamas as a terrorist organization and, if formally adopted by the European Council, will restrict the financial and operational capabilities of key figures, potentially limiting the group’s overall reach.

Who Thinks What?

The European Commission, with EU High Representative Kaja Kallas, has approved proposals to impose individual sanctions on 10 members of the Hamas political bureau, aiming to restrict the financial and operational capabilities of the leadership of a designated terrorist organization.

The European Council’s formal approval is required for these proposed individual sanctions to officially take effect and be solidified into EU law.

The European Commission has approved proposals to impose individual sanctions on 10 members of the Hamas political bureau, a move announced by EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas following a recent Commission College meeting. These proposed measures, targeting individuals based in Gaza, the West Bank, and other countries, include asset freezes and a ban on entering EU territory, building on the EU’s existing designation of Hamas as a terrorist organization.

Sanction Details and Scope

The proposed sanctions specifically target individuals within the Hamas political bureau. These members are identified as operating across various locations, including within Gaza and the West Bank, as well as in other international jurisdictions.

The European Commission clarified that the penalties would entail the freezing of assets and other financial holdings belonging to the listed individuals. Additionally, the sanctions would impose a ban on their entry into any EU territory.

EU’s Stance on Hamas

Hamas has long been classified as a terrorist organization by the European Union. This existing designation provides the overarching framework for the new individual sanctions proposals.

The move underscores the EU’s continued commitment to addressing groups it identifies as engaging in terrorist activities and aims to restrict the financial and operational capabilities of its leadership.

Next Steps for Approval

For these proposed individual sanctions to officially take effect, they require formal approval from the European Council. This final step will solidify the measures into EU law.

Key Takeaways

The European Commission’s approval of targeted sanctions against 10 Hamas political bureau members signifies a reinforced EU effort to curtail the group’s influence. The proposed asset freezes and travel bans, if formally adopted by the European Council, will directly impact key figures, aligning with the EU’s established policy on designated terrorist organizations.