US sanctions Hamas leaders, but why now?
Hamas suspects the United States is trying — but failing — to undermine the movement's truce efforts by designating three Hamas leaders as terrorists.
On Sept. 8, the US State Department unexpectedly added three Hamas leaders to its blacklist of Specially Designated Global Terrorists, freezing their US assets and prohibiting its citizens from doing business with them. The move against Mohammed al-Deif, Yahya Sinwar and Rawhi Mushtaha is prompting speculation on what might have motivated the United States to act now.
According to the State Department's website, the three Hamas leaders are known for their roles in founding Hamas’ military wing, Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, in 1991, and for planning armed attacks against Israel.
