EU puts Hamas leader on terrorist list

The European Union has added Hamas leader Yahia Sinwar to its terrorist list. The decision is part of the European response to the Hamas terrorist attacks in Israel on 7 October, the Council of the European Union announced on Tuesday.

The EU describes Sinwar as the political leader of Hamas. His inclusion on the terrorist list means member states must freeze all funds and other assets belonging to him. He is also banned from receiving funds from any organisation, company or other entity in the EU.

As leader of Hamas in the Gaza Strip, Sinwar is believed to have masterminded the terrorist attack in Israel on 7 October in which around 1,200 people were killed. The attack was the prelude to a major offensive by the Israeli army in the Gaza Strip, which Hamas claims has already killed more than 24,000 people.

Sinwar is the 16th person to be added to the European terrorist list. Hamas military chief Mohammed Deif was previously on the list. The list also includes 21 organisations, including Hamas.

^{Yahia Sinwar © PHOTO MOHAMMED ABED / AFP}

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