The United States Department of State has officially designated Ismail Haniyeh, Harakat al-Sabireen, Liwa al-Thawra, and Harakat Sawa’d Misr (HASM) as Specially Designated Global Terrorists under Executive Order 13224. This move aims to cut off resources for these groups and individuals that are believed to pose significant risks of committing acts of terrorism.
Secretary of State Rex Tillerson stated, "These designations target key terrorist groups and leaders – including two sponsored and directed by Iran – who are threatening the stability of the Middle East, undermining the peace process, and attacking our allies Egypt and Israel. Today’s actions are an important step in denying them the resources they need to plan and carry out their terrorist activities."
Executive Order 13224 allows for sanctions on foreign entities involved in terrorism that threatens U.S. security or interests. The designation results in freezing all property within U.S. jurisdiction belonging to these groups and prohibits U.S. citizens from engaging in transactions with them.
Ismail Haniyeh is noted as the leader of Hamas' Political Bureau. Hamas itself was labeled a Foreign Terrorist Organization in 1997 and a Specially Designated Global Terrorist in 2001. Haniyeh is known for his association with Hamas’ military operations against Israeli civilians.
Harakat al-Sabireen, supported by Iran since its establishment in 2014, operates mainly in Gaza and the West Bank under the leadership of former Palestine Islamic Jihad leader Hisham Salem. The group has executed attacks against Israel, including rocket fire and explosive devices targeting Israeli forces.
Liwa al-Thawra is active within Egypt's Qalyubia and Monofeya regions. Since its formation in August 2016, it has claimed responsibility for several attacks including the assassination of Egyptian brigadier general Adel Ragai.
Similarly active in Egypt is HASM, formed in 2015. It has claimed involvement in high-profile assassinations such as that of Egyptian National Security Agency officer Ibrahim Azzazy and an attack on Myanmar’s embassy in Cairo.
The designations serve to alert both U.S. citizens and international communities about these threats while aiding law enforcement efforts globally by exposing such organizations.
Lists detailing State Department-designated Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs) and Specially Designated Global Terrorists (SDGTs) can be accessed through official channels.