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🇮🇱 Israel /Technology

FBI, Justice Dep't seize $560,000 in Hamas cryptocurrency, take control of Hamas domains and servers

From Jerusalem Post · () English

Summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Official statement Outcome reported
  • The U.S. Justice Department said the FBI seized $560,000 in cryptocurrency and took control of websites, domains and servers linked to Hamas fundraising and recruitment.
  • The operation targeted infrastructure controlled by the Al-Qassam Brigades and used human sources to identify the sites and servers.
  • U.S. officials said the seizures aim to disrupt Hamas's financing, online recruitment and support for attacks.

The FBI has seized $560,000 in cryptocurrency and taken control of domains and servers that Hamas used to raise money and recruit supporters, the U.S. Department of Justice announced.

The court-authorized operation also disrupted fundraising and recruitment platforms and websites linked to Hamas's military wing, the Al-Qassam Brigades. The FBI's Albuquerque Field Office worked with human sources to identify and seize the infrastructure behind the group's main website, AlQassam.ps.

We will stop your fundraising for terror. Your networks are not secure, your crypto is vulnerable, and we will not stop until your ability to wage war is defeated.

— Jeanine Ferris PirroThe U.S. attorney described the seizure as part of efforts to disrupt Hamas fundraising.

U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro issued a direct warning to Hamas: “We will stop your fundraising for terror. Your networks are not secure, your crypto is vulnerable, and we will not stop until your ability to wage war is defeated.”

Assistant Attorney General for National Security John A. Eisenberg said the seizures cut off resources used to recruit and radicalize people online and finance attacks such as the October 7, 2023, assault. FBI Cyber Division Assistant Director Brett Leatherman said Hamas uses cryptocurrency and online platforms to solicit donations worldwide and move funds outside the formal financial system. He said the FBI would continue intercepting illicit funds and targeting digital networks used by terrorist organizations.

These seizures deprive Hamas of resources it relies on to recruit and radicalize individuals online and finance barbaric attacks like the one on October 7, 2023.

— John A. EisenbergThe assistant attorney general explained the national-security purpose of the operation.
About this summary

Originally published by Jerusalem Post. Summarized and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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