U.S. Sanctions Algerian NGO El Baraka Over Alleged Hamas Ties Amid Gaza War

On Tuesday, June 10, the United States imposed sanctions on several humanitarian organizations, including Algeria’s El Baraka and its president Ahmed Brahimi, accusing them of financially supporting Hamas during the ongoing war in Gaza.

As Israeli airstrikes continue to devastate the Gaza Strip—now entering their ninth month—the U.S. State Department announced a fresh round of sanctions targeting entities it claims are funneling aid to Hamas, which Washington classifies as a terrorist group.

Among the six humanitarian associations sanctioned is El Baraka, a prominent NGO based in Algeria. The U.S. alleges that El Baraka, under the leadership of Ahmed Brahimi, diverted charitable funds meant for Palestinian civilians to Hamas operations.

According to State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce, “these entities have diverted funds collected for humanitarian purposes to finance Hamas.” The measures fall under Executive Order 13224, a post-9/11 anti-terrorism directive that enables the U.S. government to freeze the assets of individuals or organizations suspected of aiding terrorism.

The sanctions also target organizations in Gaza, Turkey, the Netherlands, the West Bank, and Italy—namely Al Weam, Filistin Vakfi, the Israa Foundation, Addameer, and Cupola d’Oro. One group is also allegedly affiliated with the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), another entity on the U.S. terror list.

El Baraka and its president now face severe restrictions: all assets on U.S. soil or under U.S. jurisdiction are frozen, and any business in which they hold a 50% stake or more is similarly affected.

These sanctions come at a time when the U.S. continues to back Israel diplomatically and militarily, even as human rights organizations accuse Tel Aviv of war crimes. Critics argue the move criminalizes humanitarian solidarity with Palestinians and further isolates civil society groups operating in Gaza and beyond.