'Nothing Off the Table' as US Evaluates Hamas Sanctions, Yellen Says

The U.S. could impose new sanctions or tighten existing ones against Hamas in response to the group’s recent attacks on Israel, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said, speaking to reporters ahead of annual meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank in Marrakesh, Morocco. She said those decisions are under consideration.

“We have sanctions on Hamas, on Hezbollah,” Yellen said, referring to the Lebanese militant group. “This is something we have been constantly looking at and using information that comes available to tighten sanctions. We will continue to do that.” She added she didn’t have “anything new to announce, just that these are areas we have long recognized are deserving of constant attention with respect to our sanctions, and we've been vigilant about that.”

Asked whether the U.S. could reverse its August decision to unfreeze nearly $6 billion in Iranian funds in exchange for five imprisoned Americans (see 2308150072) if the U.S. finds that Iran aided Hamas’ attack, Yellen suggested that is a possibility. She added that those funds are “purely for humanitarian purposes” and haven’t yet been used.

“I wouldn't take anything off the table in terms of future possible actions,” Yellen said, “but I certainly don't want to get ahead of where we are in that.”