EU Council adds 10 Hamas Politburo members and four Israeli settler entities to sanctions lists

On May 28, 2026, the Council of the European Union expanded the legal framework of its Hamas/Palestinian Islamic Jihad sanctions regime to capture members of Hamas' Political Bureau (Politburo) and added 10 named individuals, following a political agreement among EU foreign ministers on May 11. The instruments were formalized as Council Decision (CFSP) 2026/1173 and Council Regulation (EU) 2026/1175. The 10 listed Politburo members are Nizar Mohammed Awadallah, Mohammad Nazzal, Husam Badran, Khaled Mashal, Khalil Al-Hayya, Muhammad Ismail Darwish, Zaher Jabarin, Abu Khalil Al-Quds, Fathi Hamad and Moussa Abu Marzouk.

Each is subject to an EU-wide travel ban and asset freeze, with a prohibition on making funds or economic resources available directly or indirectly. The Council reasoned that, as decision-makers, the Politburo bears overall responsibility for Hamas' violent actions and has knowledge of their planning, preparation and execution. In the same package the Council acted under its Global Human Rights Sanctions regime to list four entities and three individuals described as extremist Israeli settlers and supporting organizations over abuses against Palestinians in the West Bank — a notably two-sided move.

For the COFFERS sanctions beat, the asset-freeze mechanics are the operative element: EU banks, payment processors and counterparties must screen and block the named persons, and the framework's extension to a political leadership body (rather than only the military wing) broadens compliance reach across European finance.