Germany bans aid group linked to Hamas

Berlin, July 13 (IANS/AKI) Germany outlawed a charity group for having alleged links to Palestinian militant organisation Hamas, interior minister Thomas de Maiziere said.

Authorities believe the Frankfurt-based Internationale Humanitaere Hilfsorganisation (IHH) has been funnelling money to Hamas, which governs the Gaza Strip and is considered a terrorist organisation by the European Union, the United States and Israel.

“The IHH has, under the cover of humanitarian aid, supported Gaza Strip-based so-called social associations which are attributable to Hamas, for a long period of time and to a considerable financial extent,” de Maiziere said in a statement Monday.

“Hamas employs acts of violence against Israel and Israeli citizens and therefore compromises a peaceful settlement between the Israeli and Palestinian people,” the statement said.

Hamas took control of Gaza in 2007 and has since been blockaded by Israel.

–IANS/AKI