Terror groups and affiliates slapped with sanctions

A trio of extremist organisations, including Hamas, along with other entities and individuals have been relisted for counter-terrorism financing sanctions.

Palestinian groups Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad, and Lebanese group Hezbollah, along with 30 other entities and 10 individuals, have been relisted by the federal government for sanctions.

The listings expire every three years and are being renewed ahead of their expiry in 2025.

Hamas has been listed since 2001.

"We are also imposing new counter-terrorism financing sanctions on three persons and one entity linked to Hamas, to reflect changes in the leadership of the terrorist organisation," Foreign Minister Penny Wong said.

The counter-terrorism listings target Izz al-Din al-Haddad, Hamas' leader and military commander since May 2025.

A member of Hamas' Politburo and a senior financial facilitator are also listed as well as a currency exchange used to facilitate the transfer of funds and cryptocurrency to Hamas.

Senator Wong said the government remained unequivocal in its condemnation of Hamas and continued to call for the immediate, unconditional and dignified release of the hostages it took during the horrific October 7, 2023 terrorist attacks.

"We continue to work with the international community to isolate Hamas and end its grip on Gaza," she said.

"We have made clear that there can be no role for Hamas in a Palestinian state."

A listing for counter-terrorism financing sanctions makes it a criminal offence to use or deal with a listed person or entity's assets or to make an asset available to them.

Counter-terrorism financing sanctions disrupt the ability of terrorist organisations to raise funds, making it harder for terrorists to fund operations and recruit.

Penalties for breaching an Australian sanctions law include up to 10 years' imprisonment and/or heavy fines.

The relistings follow online far-right extremist group Terrorgram's designation as a terror organisation in June after it was hit with counter-terrorism financing sanctions in February, as part of the federal government's crackdown on anti-Semitism.

Terrorgram provides instructions to its members online through the chat platform Telegram on how to conduct terrorist attacks and has been responsible for inspiring events in the United States, Europe and Asia.

The neo-Nazi and white supremacist group was linked to a plot to kill NSW Labor MP Tim Crakanthorp in 2024.

Senator Wong said it was the first time Australia had imposed counter-terrorism financing sanctions on an entirely online entity.