The European Union has expanded its sanctions against Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, placing a travel ban and asset freeze on ten members of Hamas’ Politburo.
The EU justified the measure by highlighting the political leadership’s complicity in planning, executing, and publicly defending violent actions.
Emphasizing its commitment to securing a lasting peace in Gaza, the bloc declared that the complete disarmament of Hamas remains an essential prerequisite.
In a parallel diplomatic action, the European Council announced sanctions against four entities and three individuals identified as extremist Israeli settlers, citing serious and systematic human rights abuses against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank.
These new diplomatic restrictions coincide with ongoing military escalations on the ground. Earlier this week, the Israeli military confirmed the targeted assassination of Mohammed Odeh, the newly appointed head of Hamas’ military wing, the Al-Qassam Brigades.
Odeh, who had recently taken command following the death of his predecessor Izz al-Din al-Haddad earlier this month, was eliminated in a precision strike in Gaza City following extensive intelligence monitoring.
