US imposes sanctions on Hamas bank, TV station

US Department of the Treasury has imposed strict sanctions against the Gaza-based Islamic National Bank and al-Aqsa TV television channel over affiliations to the Palestinian Hamas movement.

According to the US Treasury, the Islamic National Bank &0151; opened by Hamas in April 2009 — lacks a legal license from the Palestinian Monetary Authority and is operating outside the legitimate financial system.

The Hamas finance office in Gaza moved €1.1 million ($1.5m) into the Islamic National Bank in May 2009 and used the funds to pay salaries of the Hamas military wing members who held accounts at the bank.

The Treasury also said al-Aqsa Television station is financed and controlled by Hamas and serves as its primary media outlet that airs programs “designed to recruit children to become Hamas armed fighters and bombers upon reaching adulthood.”

The sanctions prohibit Americans from transactions with the entities and seek to freeze any assets they may have under US jurisdiction.