Hamas says EU sanctions decision ‘unjust and biased toward Israeli narrative’

GAZA CITY – 30 May 2026: Hamas on Saturday condemned a European Union decision to expand sanctions targeting the movement and Palestinian Islamic Jihad to include members of Hamas' political leadership.

In a statement, Hamas called the move unjust and biased toward the Israeli narrative.

The EU said on Friday it had imposed sanctions on 10 members of Hamas’ Politburo, freezing their assets, imposing travel bans, and banning the provision of funds or economic resources to them directly or indirectly.

Those designated include the movement chief Khalil Al-Hayya, Nizar Mohammed Awadallah, Mohammad Nazzal, Husam Badran, Khaled Mashal, Muhammad Ismail Darwish, Zaher Jabarin, Abu Khalil Al-Quds, Fathi Hamad and Moussa Abu Marzouk.

The EU said the officials, as decision-makers within Hamas, “have knowledge of the planning, preparation and execution of violent actions by Hamas.”

'Double Standards on Palestinian Cause'

Hamas rejected the sanctions, describing them as "an unjust decision fully aligned with the occupation's narrative" and saying they reflected “a double standard” in the EU's approach to the Palestinian cause.

The movement said the decision came as Israel continued “genocide, starvation and forced displacement” against Palestinians in Gaza.

It accused the EU of “turning a blind eye to these documented violations of international law and choosing to punish political leaders defending the legitimate rights of their people.”

Hamas said “attempts to criminalize Palestinian resistance will not change the fact that our people live under occupation,” asserting that people’s resistance is “a legitimate right guaranteed by all international laws and humanitarian norms.”

The movement emphasized that the occupation is “the root of the conflict and the source of instability.”

It added that the targeting of Politburo members also “confirms that these sanctions come in response to pressure from the occupation and do not adhere to standards of justice.”

Hamas called on the EU to “review its biased policies, stop providing political cover for the occupation, and work to hold Israeli leaders accountable instead of pursuing victims.”

The statement affirmed that such measures will not undermine the will of the Palestinian people or their adherence to their legitimate national rights, foremost among them freedom, self-determination, ending the occupation, and establishing a Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital.