Hamas plans to continue using cryptocurrencies for operations
Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz signed an order to seize more than $800,000 on cryptocurrency on its way to Hamas, but a spokesperson for the movement said that the Israeli announcement was exaggerated.
GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip — Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz signed an order to seize 2.6 million shekels ($830,000) in cryptocurrency on Dec. 31 from a money-exchange company Hamas runs in the Gaza Strip, called Mutahidoon.
According to Israel Hayom, Israeli Defense Ministry said the seizure was one of the largest in recent years and dealt a significant blow to the currency exchange.
The newspaper added that the financing network “was exposed in a joint operation involving IDF Intelligence, the National Headquarters on Terrorist Economic Counter-Terrorism at the Defense Ministry, the cybercrimes department of the Israel Police's Lahav 443 Major Crimes Unit, and the State Attorney's Office's Cyber Unit.”
This is the second time that Israel has seized cryptocurrency belonging to Hamas. In July, it seized 150 accounts affiliated with Mutahidoon in Gaza.
