US Sanctions Violent Extremist Israeli Group Over Blocking Aid to Gaza
The United States has imposed sanctions on Tzav 9, an Israeli group known for obstructing humanitarian aid convoys to Gaza. The Biden administration targeted the group for looting and setting fire to aid trucks, hindering vital assistance to the region facing famine.
Israeli right-wing protesters have been escalating attacks on convoys, particularly in the West Bank, causing further strain on aid flow to Gaza. Sanctions have been enforced to block the group’s assets and restrict transactions with American citizens under Biden’s executive order.
However, calls for penalizing Israeli officials like Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich have been resisted by Washington. Democracy for the Arab World Now (DAWN) applauded the sanctions on Tzav 9 and urged the US to target individuals enabling the group. Advocates are also pressing for the lifting of the Gaza blockade by Israel.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken emphasized the need to expedite aid deliveries to Gaza and enhance protection for humanitarian workers at a recent conference in Jordan.
