INTERNACIONAL
Trump admin accuses Hamas of backing Gaza flotilla, sanctions activist and Muslim Brotherhood networks
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The Trump administration on Tuesday accused Hamas of using activist and Muslim Brotherhood-linked networks to support a Gaza-bound flotilla and sanctioned several organizers tied to the effort.
The sanctions package, announced by the Treasury and State departments, also targeted activists associated with Samidoun, an anti-Israel activist network that U.S. officials describe as a front for the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), along with operatives tied to Muslim Brotherhood networks aligned with Hamas.
The U.S. has designated the PFLP as a foreign terrorist organization. And governments including the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia have designated the Muslim Brotherhood a terrorist organization. Both groups are Islamist organizations that believe in establishing Islamic theocracies where sharia, or Islamic law, is the law of the land.
The sanctions came after the Israeli navy stopped dozens of boats from the flotilla in international waters off Cyprus and detained hundreds of activists on board. Activists involved in the flotilla say the mission is intended to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza and challenge Israel’s blockade of the territory, while Israeli officials have described the effort as a political provocation.
The move lands as a warning shot at a broader activist ecosystem in the U.S. that has long championed the flotilla campaign in a nexus between Islamist and pro-communist organizations, including CodePink and the People’s Forum, nonprofits funded by an American Marxist expatriate, Neville Roy Singham, living in Shanghai, promoting the agenda of the Chinese Communist Party. On Monday, CodePink co-founder Medea Benjamin published a video, protesting the «kidnapping» of flotilla members detained by Israel, calling the country a «pariah state.» Earlier this month, the People’s Forum demanded the release of other detained activists. The sanctions fit a wider Treasury Department strategy of targeting networks that use humanitarian or civil-society branding to amplify causes aligned with Hamas.
ISRAEL CLAIMS NO AID WAS FOUND ABOARD GAZA-BOUND FLOTILLA
People hold banners and Palestinian flags during a protest against Israel’s interception of the Global Sumud flotilla outside the Foreign Ministry in Athens, Greece, on May 18, 2026. (Costas Baltas/Anadolu via Getty Images)
«The pro-terror flotilla attempting to reach Gaza is a ludicrous attempt to undermine President Trump’s successful progress toward lasting peace in the region,» Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said. «Treasury will continue to sever Hamas’ global financial support networks, no matter where in the world they are,» Bessent said.
The move reflects growing scrutiny from U.S. officials over the role activist, nonprofit and international support networks play in amplifying or supporting groups designated as terrorist organizations.
The sanctions freeze any U.S.-based assets of designated individuals and generally prohibit Americans and U.S.-based entities from conducting business with them.
The State Department said the designations target three categories of what it described as Hamas enablers: organizers of a Hamas-backed flotilla attempting to reach Gaza, operatives within Hamas-aligned Muslim Brotherhood networks that facilitate violent terrorist attacks and coordinators tied to Samidoun.
Among those sanctioned were Spain-based Saif Hashim Kamel Abukishek, a member of the Popular Conference for Palestinians Abroad who Treasury officials said served on the flotilla’s steering committee, and Jordan-based Hisham Abdallah Sulayman Abu Mahfuz, the acting secretary general and president of the Popular Conference for Palestinians Abroad.
Treasury also sanctioned Belgium-based Samidoun coordinator Mohammed Khatib and Madrid-based activist Jaldia Abubakra Aueda, whom officials accused of helping coordinate the group’s activities in Europe.
TURKEY’S NATO ROLE UNDER SCRUTINY AMID NEW REPORT ON HAMAS, MUSLIM BROTHERHOOD TIES
Israeli forces board a vessel during the interception of the Global Sumud flotilla in the Mediterranean Sea on May 19, 2026. (Global Sumud Flotilla via AP)
Treasury has previously described Samidoun as a fundraising and support platform for the PFLP in countries where the group faces legal restrictions.
The sanctions package also targeted several operatives tied to Hamas-aligned Muslim Brotherhood networks, including members linked to Harakat Sawa’d Misr, an Egypt-based militant offshoot of the Muslim Brotherhood known by the acronym HASM.
«Hamas uses these enablers to sustain its position in Gaza, finance its operations, and engage in terrorist violence beyond its borders,» the State Department said. «Today’s action exposes how Hamas exploits diaspora organizations, religious institutions, and purported civil society groups to advance its malign agenda while claiming humanitarian objectives.»
Treasury accused Karim Sayed Ahmed Moghny, one of the individuals sanctioned Tuesday, of directing militant activity, training operatives in covert operations and collaborating with HASM on attacks targeting Israeli interests.
Treasury also sanctioned Marwan Abu Ras and the Palestinian Scholars Association, which officials accused of helping align religious institutions in Gaza with Hamas’ ideology.
The sanctions came as Israeli forces intercepted the remaining flotilla vessels Tuesday, detaining hundreds of activists aboard the boats, according to The Associated Press.
Cutline/caption: Israeli soldiers are seen on a vessel bearing symbols of the Global Sumud flotilla, with a cargo ship behind it, as seen from Ashdod, southern Israel, on May 19, 2026. (Amir Cohen/Reuters)
Flotilla organizers said 428 activists from more than 40 countries were detained after Israeli forces stopped roughly 41 vessels in international waters off Cyprus, according to the AP.
Amnesty International called for the release of flotilla activists, including Abukishek, and described the mission as a «peaceful solidarity mission» intended to break Israel’s blockade of Gaza.
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Turkey and Hamas condemned Israel’s interception of the flotilla, while Ireland’s prime minister described the operation in international waters as «absolutely unacceptable,» according to the AP.
Samidoun told Fox News Digital it rejected the sanctions and denied having «material or organizational ties» to groups designated as terrorist organizations. The group also accused the U.S. government of politically coordinating the sanctions with Israel’s interception of the flotilla, which it described as «piracy» and the «abduction» of activists.
Fox News Digital was unable to immediately reach representatives for Popular Conference for Palestinians Abroad through publicly available channels.
terrorism, israel, sanctions, state department, hamas, middle east, scott bessent, fund raising
INTERNACIONAL
Chaotic car chase ends with ICE nabbing alleged foreign terrorist leader accused of holding wife captive
Markwayne Mullin slams Democrats’ ‘open border’ agenda
DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin responds to President Donald Trump signing a $70 billion bill to fund ICE and CBP through 2029, calling out Democrats for attempting to defund border protection. Mullin highlights issues with sanctuary cities and the increasing number of arrested illegal immigrants with felony charges. He emphasizes the Trump administration’s zero-tolerance approach against those who harbor criminals and assault law enforcement.
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FIRST ON FOX: Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested a Brazilian illegal immigrant, who authorities say previously served as the commander of two designated Foreign Terrorist Organizations, after allegedly attempting to flee a North Carolina traffic stop while preparing to escape to Mexico.
Felipe Linares de Oliveira Dell Aquilla, known as «Don,» was arrested June 5 in Mooresville, North Carolina, after allegedly leading law enforcement on a vehicle pursuit that ended in a crash before his arrest, according to a Department of Homeland Security press release obtained by Fox News Digital.
Federal authorities say Dell Aquilla was wanted in Brazil on charges of criminal association and extortion and had been preparing to leave the United States for Mexico.
Dell Aquilla previously served as a commander within the Primeiro Comando da Capital (PCC) and Comando Vermelho (CV), two Brazil-based criminal organizations that were recently designated Foreign Terrorist Organizations by the Trump administration, according to DHS.
ICE ARRESTS ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT WITH ALLEGED TERROR TIES IN CALIFORNIA, ONE OF THE MOST WANTED MEN IN INDIA
ICE said they arrested Felipe Linares de Oliveira Dell Aquilla, a Brazilian illegal immigrant and former commander of two foreign terrorist organizations, on June 5 in North Carolina. (DHS)
«This arrest demonstrates the unwavering commitment of HSI to protect our communities from dangerous international criminals,» Mark M. Zito, special agent in charge of HSI in North and South Carolina, said in an exclusive statement to Fox News Digital.
«By removing a known leader of violent foreign terrorist organizations — wanted for serious crimes including criminal association and extortion — we have prevented further harm to innocent people here and abroad,» Zito said.
EXCLUSIVE: ICE NABS MULTIPLE CONVICTED KILLERS IN SINGLE DAY AMID NATIONWIDE IMMIGRATION SWEEP
ICE agents and other federal law enforcement officials attend a pre-enforcement meeting in Chicago, Illinois, on Jan. 26, 2025. (Christopher Dilts/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Law enforcement intelligence indicated Dell Aquilla was holding his wife against her will as he plotted his escape to Mexico. Authorities said investigators later interviewed his wife, who confirmed she had been held against her will.
Investigators said Dell Aquilla led authorities on a pursuit after officers initiated a traffic stop. The chase ended when he crashed into stopped traffic and allegedly attempted to flee on foot before being taken into custody.
A search of the vehicle resulted in the seizure of multiple cellphones, laptops, cash and a 9 mm handgun, according to DHS.
FIVE ANTI-ICE AGITATORS ARRESTED DURING CHAOTIC DELANEY HALL CONFRONTATIONS CAUGHT ON VIDEO
Authorities recovered multiple cell phones, laptops, cash and a 9 mm handgun from Dell Aquilla’s vehicle following his arrest. (DHS)
«Our agents, working alongside dedicated state and local law enforcement partners, acted swiftly and decisively to ensure this individual will no longer threaten the safety of our neighborhoods,» Zito said.
«HSI will continue to pursue those who endanger our communities and bring them to justice.»
Dell Aquilla was transported to a county jail and faces a state felony charge of fleeing to elude arrest. HSI is pursuing additional charges of kidnapping and being an alien in possession of a firearm, according to DHS. ICE has also lodged a detainer on him.
Dell Aquilla illegally entered the United States «at an unknown date and location,» according to federal authorities.
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HSI Greensboro and HSI Charlotte worked alongside HSI New England, the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office and the Mooresville Police Department in the operation.
immigration, organized crime, north carolina, mexico, illegal immigrants
INTERNACIONAL
Bolivia descarta el pago retroactivo de la renta vitalicia para la expresidenta Jeanine Añez
El Gobierno de Bolivia descartó realizar el pago retroactivo por cinco años de renta para expresidentes a la expresidenta Jeanine Añez (2019-2020). A través de un comunicado público, el Ministerio de Economía y Finanzas Públicas explicó que no existe un respaldo legal para realizar el desembolso.
En la nota, esa cartera explica que el trámite para solicitar el pago vitalicio consiste en presentar una solicitud acompañada de una certificación emitida por el Ministerio de la Presidencia que acredite el periodo de ejercicio de sus funciones.
Añez habría realizado solicitudes de certificación durante la gestión del expresidente Luis Arce (2020-2025), sin lograr obtenerlas y, por lo tanto, no pudo presentar la solicitud del pago.
Recién el 12 de diciembre de 2026, cuando el presidente Rodrigo Paz llevaba un mes en funciones, lo hizo cumpliendo con los requisitos establecidos por ley. En ese sentido, el Gobierno emitió una resolución ministerial mediante la cual se autorizó el pago de la renta vitalicia.
Posteriormente, el 6 de enero, la expresidenta solicitó desembolsos retroactivos. “Corresponde aclarar que el Ministerio de Economía no puede autorizar pagos retroactivos que no estén expresamente respaldados por la normativa vigente”, señala la nota en la que remarca que la Ley 376, que regula el beneficio, no contempla pagos por periodos anteriores a su reconocimiento.
“Este Gobierno reconoció y autorizó el beneficio que no fue otorgado durante la anterior administración, pero no existe respaldo legal para efectuar pagos por periodos que no fueron reconocidos ni habilitados conforme a ley”, señala el comunicado.
En respuesta, la expresidenta manifestó que no está pidiendo un privilegio sino el cumplimiento de un derecho que le fue negado. “¿Debe una persona perder años de un derecho que le corresponde porque el Estado le impidió ejercerlo? Yo sostengo que no”, escribió en su cuenta de X en referencia a la imposibilidad de obtener antes los requisitos para el pago.
“No pido privilegios. Pido que se respete la ley y que se reconozcan plenamente los derechos que me corresponden como expresidenta constitucional de Bolivia”, escribió.
Añez asumió la presidencia de Bolivia tras la renuncia del expresidente Evo Morales (2006-2019) durante los convulsos días de noviembre de 2019. Morales, que intentaba asumir ilegalmente un cuarto mandato, huyó del país en medio de protestas sociales que exigían su renuncia y lo acusaban de haber cometido fraude electoral.
Con su dimisión cayeron también quienes lo seguían en la línea de sucesión constitucional: el vicepresidente, la presidenta del Senado y el presidente de la Cámara de Diputados.
Añez, que hasta entonces había sido una senadora de bajo perfil por el departamento amazónico, ocupaba la segunda vicepresidencia de la Cámara de Senadores. El 12 de noviembre, en una sesión sin quórum y cuestionada por el incumplimiento del reglamento interno, asumió la presidencia del Senado primero y la del Estado después.
Su mandato transitorio, que debía durar tres meses y solo convocar a elecciones, duró casi un año, debido a que la elección sufrió postergaciones por la pandemia de Covid-19.
Cuando el Movimiento Al Socialismo (MAS) de Evo Morales retornó al poder con la candidatura de su sucesor, el expresidente Luis Arce, se abrieron múltiples procesos judiciales contra Añez por la forma en la que asumió el Gobierno y por denuncias de corrupción. La exmandataria estuvo encarcelada cuatro años y recuperó su libertad en noviembre de 2025, cuando la Justicia resolvió anular una sentencia de diez años en su contra.
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