The European Union hit two extremist Palestinian Islamist groups, Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), with new sanctions on Friday.
Three companies and six people have been targeted with punitive measures for financing the two groups and "enabling their violent actions."
New sanctions apply to Zuheir Shamlakh, who according to the EU, is a money launderer "who enables financial transfers" to Hamas from Iran.
Also targeted is Maher Rebhi Obeid, a high-level political operative for Hamas "responsible for directing Hamas’ terrorist operatives in the West Bank," said the Council of the EU, the body representing the bloc's 27 member states.
Jamil Yusuf Ahmad Aliyan, a PIJ official and leader of the Muhjat AlQuds Foundation that provides financial support to the families of PIJ fighters and prisoners, has also been sanctioned.
The three companies, Zawaya Group for Development and Investment Co Ltd, Larrycom for Investment Ltd, and Al Zawaya Group for Development and Investment Sociedad limitada were linked to Hamas' investment portfolio and placed on the EU's sanctions list.
Persons and organizations targeted by EU sanctions are subject to an asset freeze in the bloc, and a ban from travelling to the EU.
In addition, it is prohibited for third parties to provide economic resources, directly or indirectly, to the companies and persons listed.
In total, 12 people and three organizations are listed under EU sanctions set up in January 2024 to punish any individual who supports Hamas or PIJ after the Hamas terrorist attack on Israel on October 7.
The Gaza war was triggered by the massacre of more than 1,200 people by Hamas and allied groups in Israel on October 7 last year.