Israel declares 2 Gaza-based exchange firms ‘terrorist’ groups

Israeli Defence Minister Benny Gantz has declared two Gaza-based exchange companies as “terrorist” organisations over their alleged assistance in transferring millions from Iran to Hamas, the Jerusalem Post reported yesterday.

According to the paper, the two money exchange companies, Al-Markaziya li-siarafa” (formerly known as Al Mutahadun For Exchange), and Arab Trading Company China, owned by Zohir Younes Shmalach, are said to have been transferring funds from Iran to Hamas’ military wing.

Israeli intelligence found that funds originating in Iran are part of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ Quds Force’s support for Hamas, Gantz said.

“We will continue to harm the Iranian-Hamas axis and interrupt the chain of transfer of funds to the military arm of terrorist organizations,” Gantz said.

“This designation sends a clear message to the merchants of Gaza, the message being that any financial activity with companies owned by Shamalch will lead to the levying of financial sanctions and the prevention of import to and export from the Gaza Strip,” Gantz added.

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