US designates Hamas operative linked to Iran, al Qaeda
Today the US State Department added Muhammad Hisham Muhammad Isma’il Abu Ghazala, a Hamas operative who is linked to Iran and al Qaeda and fought with Ansar al Islam in Iraq, to the list of specially designated global terrorists. The designation allows the US to freeze his assets, prevent him from using financial institutions, and prosecute him for terrorist activities.
Abu Ghazala “plays an integral role in Hamas,” the State Department said. “He has links to Iran, the world’s leading State Sponsor of Terrorism, and al Qaeda.”
In addition to his connections with Iran and al Qaeda, Abu Ghazala has aided terrorist networks in northern Iraq in conducting roadside bombings and rocket attacks.
“He is an improvised explosive device (IED) facilitator with connections to multiple IED networks throughout northern Iraq and is also responsible for disseminating numerous remote detonation device designs used by former regime elements and terror organizations in Iraq,” the designation reads. “He has worked with rockets and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).”
In July 2006, the Iraqi government listed Abu Ghazala as one of the 41 most-wanted individuals in the country and offered a $50,000 bounty for information leading to his capture. The Iraqi government placed him 33rd on the list, and identified him as “Muhammad Hisham Muhammad (AKA Mansur / Khadim al-Husayn).”
The Iraqi government described Abu Ghazala as an “Ansar al-Islam/al-Sunna affiliated improvised explosive device facilitator,” according to the list, which was issued by US Central Command on July 2, 2006.