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Ali Baraka

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Ali Baraka
Head of Hamas Department of National Relations Abroad
Incumbent
Assumed office
2019
Hamas Representative in Lebanon
In office
2011–2019
Preceded byOsama Hamdan
Succeeded byAhmed Abd al-Hadi

Ali Abed Al Rahman Baraka (Arabic: علي بركة) is a senior Hamas official based in Beirut, Lebanon. As the Palestinian militant group's head of Department of National Relations Abroad Baraka oversees the group's foreign relations. He was previously the Hamas representative in Lebanon from 2011 to 2019.

Baraka is sanctioned by the U.S. and the United Kingdom for involvement in facilitating Hamas' militant activities targeting civilians, such as the October 7 attacks.

Biography

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Baraka was the Hamas representative in Lebanon from 2011 to 2019.[1][2]

In Lebanon, Baraka was responsible for Hamas's relations with Hezbollah and Iran. Amid allegations that Hamas was supporting Syrian rebels in the Syrian Civil War, Hezbollah ordered Baraka leave Lebanon. However, Baraka remained in Lebanon.[3] In 2016, Baraka met with an Iranian delegation at the Iranian embassy in Beirut to discuss Hamas-Iranian relations. According to the Palestine Chronicle, Iran has provided funding to Hamas.[4]

After Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, Baraka claimed that the group had been planning the operation for 2 years.[5] Baraka told Reuters that Hamas had long relied on money and training from Iran and the rest of Resistance Axis while Hamas was building its capabilities in Gaza.[6]

In a statement to Al Jazeera Arabic, Baraka stated that after the attack Hamas military leader Mohammed Deif appealed for support from Lebanon, Iran, Iraq, Syria, and Yemen. He revealed the existence since 2021 of a Palestinian Joint Operations Room among the various factions.[7]

Since 2019, Baraka has been the Palestinian militant group's head of Department of National Relations Abroad, overseeing the group's foreign relations, principally based in Beirut.[7] [8]

International Sanctions

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On 13 December 2023, Baraka was one of eight Hamas officials and facilitators targeted with U.S. sanctions for "perpetuat[ing] Hamas's violent agenda by representing the group’s interests abroad and managing its finances."[9] On the same day, in close coordination with US authorities, the UK also imposed restrictions on Baraka, making him subject to a travel ban and assets freeze, citing his vocal support of the taking of hostages.[10][1]

These restrictions were put in place in response to the October 7 Hamas attacks in order to hinder the group's access to funding and further isolate it on the international arena.

On 3 September 2024, the U.S. Department of Justice announced criminal charges against Baraka, together with five other top leaders of Hamas, for orchestrating the 7 October attack on Israel.[11] The charges, which were filed under seal in February 2024, include conspiracy to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization and conspiracy to murder U.S. nationals.[12][13]

References

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  1. ^ "Israeli Troops Fire as Marchers Breach Borders". New York Times. 2011-05-15. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
  2. ^ "Hamas leader in Lebanon to meet Palestinian factions". Al Jazeera. 2020-09-02. Retrieved 24 October 2023.
  3. ^ Winer, Stuart (2013-05-03). "Hamas denies Hezbollah booting it out of Lebanon". Times of Israel. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
  4. ^ "Hamas Representative Meets with Iranian Officials in Beirut". Palestine Chronicle. 2016-09-02. Retrieved 24 October 2023.
  5. ^ Nakhoul, Samia (2023-10-11). "How a secretive Hamas commander masterminded the attack on Israel". Reuters. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
  6. ^ Nakhoul, Samia (2023-10-13). "How Hamas secretly built a 'mini-army' to fight Israel". Reuters. Archived from the original on 2023-10-13. Retrieved 25 October 2023.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  7. ^ a b Dihasha, Najiya (2023-10-12). "قيادي في حماس للجزيرة نت: المقاومة من جنوب لبنان لمنع الاستفراد بغزة". Al Jazeera Arabic (in Arabic). Retrieved 6 December 2023.
  8. ^ Khalid, Tuqa (2023-10-15). "Russia can play crucial role in settling conflict with Israel: Hamas official". Al-Arabiya. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
  9. ^ Oshin, Olafimihan (2023-12-13). "US targets Hamas finances with new sanctions". The Hill. Retrieved 13 December 2023.
  10. ^ "UK and US target Hamas with new sanctions to isolate terror group". GOV.UK. Retrieved 2024-01-21.
  11. ^ Goldman, Adam; Bergman, Ronen; Thrush, Glenn (September 3, 2024). "U.S. Charges Hamas Leaders in Oct. 7 Massacre in Israel and Other Terrorist Attacks". New York Times.
  12. ^ "US charges Hamas leaders over Oct. 7 attack on Israel". Reuters. September 3, 2024. Retrieved September 3, 2024.
  13. ^ "Justice Department Announces Terrorism Charges Against Senior Leaders of Hamas". justice.gov. United States Department of Justice. September 3, 2024. Retrieved September 3, 2024.
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