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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
Las bandas criminales han comenzado a utilizar las escuelas y colegios como lugares para captar a menores de edad en redes de explotación sexual comercial, según lo revela el Informe Explotación sexual comercial de niños, niñas y adolescentes (ESCNNA) publicado este año. El documento, elaborado por el Programa Interdisciplinario de Estudios y Acción Social de los Derechos de la Niñez y la Adolescencia (Pridena) de la Universidad de Costa Rica (UCR) y el Instituto de Estudios Interdisciplinarios de la Niñez y la Adolescencia (Ineina) de la Universidad Nacional (UNA), describe cómo los entornos educativos en Puntarenas, Corredores y Garabito han sido utilizados para el reclutamiento de víctimas.
La investigación, que fue citada por CR Hoy en su cobertura, identifica que la problemática se agrava por la exclusión social, la pobreza, la desmotivación estudiantil, la falta de oportunidades y la presencia del narcotráfico. Todos estos factores han creado un ambiente donde los menores de edad resultan vulnerables ante las redes de explotación sexual.
Según el informe, los centros educativos cumplen una doble función. Por un lado, se presentan como espacios de protección institucional para los estudiantes. Por otro, pueden convertirse en escenarios donde operan redes de explotación sexual comercial. Dentro de las escuelas y colegios, algunos menores de edad, que ya se encuentran vinculados a grupos criminales, buscan reclutar a sus propios compañeros para integrarlos en estas redes.
Entre las formas de captación identificadas, destaca que el primer contacto con las víctimas puede producirse dentro de los mismos centros educativos. Los grupos criminales utilizan a estudiantes para acercarse a otros alumnos y convencerlos de integrarse a la red con promesas de protección y beneficios económicos. Además, el informe advierte que las redes sociales juegan un papel importante, ya que son empleadas para captar víctimas y para promover la cosificación y sexualización del cuerpo femenino.
El estudio también señala la falta de una estadística específica en Costa Rica sobre procesos judiciales relacionados con la explotación sexual comercial de personas menores de edad. Aunque existen delitos vinculados, la carencia de datos dificulta dimensionar la magnitud del problema. Como referencia, el Ministerio Público reportó durante 2025 un total de 3,203 casos por el delito de relaciones sexuales con personas menores de edad.
En cuanto a la respuesta institucional, la investigación indica que las fiscalías especializadas han dirigido sus esfuerzos en el endurecimiento de las penas, sin avanzar en igual medida en la prevención. El informe resalta la necesidad de fortalecer las acciones preventivas a través de una mayor inversión social y la creación de un programa nacional de prevención de la explotación sexual.
Ante la consulta sobre las acciones del Patronato Nacional de la Infancia (PANI), la institución reconoció que enfrenta importantes desafíos para garantizar los derechos de las personas menores de edad, especialmente de las víctimas. El PANI destacó que la complejidad del fenómeno y de los delitos asociados exige la articulación de procesos integrales, interinstitucionales e intersectoriales.
El análisis desarrollado por Pridena y Ineina se basó en información aportada por diferentes instituciones públicas, entre ellas el PANI, y en relatos de familias afectadas. El informe incluye el caso de una madre que detalló cómo su hija fue contactada indirectamente por un grupo criminal a través de otra estudiante del colegio. Esta situación evidencia el nivel de vulnerabilidad al que están expuestos los menores de edad en los entornos educativos.
La investigación concluye que la presencia del narcotráfico, la violencia y las brechas sociales han facilitado la operación de redes de explotación sexual comercial que utilizan estrategias de captación cada vez más sofisticadas. El fenómeno afecta tanto a las víctimas como a las instituciones encargadas de su protección, que reconocen la necesidad de respuestas más amplias y coordinadas para hacer frente a esta problemática.
Nicaragua,educación,aula,escuela,secundaria,pupitres
INTERNACIONAL
Trump shares news of ‘crytal clear’ Reflecting Pool, calls for vandalism suspect’s arrest
Secretary Burgum condemns vandalism targeting National Mall amid new threats
Interior Secretary Doug Burgum reacts to a disturbing pattern of vandalism targeting the National Mall, including the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, which suffered significant damage. Burgum details the restoration efforts, the deployment of security and the arrest of seven individuals involved. He stresses that such acts are an attack on the country and will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.
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President Donald Trump and his Interior Department are declaring an America 250 victory over algae in the Lincoln Reflecting Pool.
Trump shared photos on Truth Social on Sunday showing the pool and the reflection of the Washington Monument appearing clear and blue, and made a call out with a «Wanted» poster for vandals.
«The U.S. Park Police is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying the individual in the notice below in connection with a Destruction of Government Property investigation related to the Reflecting Pool,» Trump wrote Sunday on Truth Social.
Trump also shared an Interior Department statement crediting «advanced nanobubbler technology» and National Park Service cleanup work.
FORMER US OLYMPIAN DAVID HEARN INDICTED IN ALLEGED REFLECTING POOL VANDALISM
President Donald Trump is touting the algae cleanup and the prosecution of vandals from the Lincoln Reflecting pool with the water proving clear and refective in this July 3 photo. (Finn Gomez/Getty Images)
«The advanced nanobubbler technology very effectively killed the algae that has plagued every Lincoln Reflecting Pool reopening — most infamously Obama’s reopening — since 1922,» Dei Gratia Minerals founder Greg Wischer, Interior’s deputy assistant secretary for land and minerals management, wrote in a letter shared with Interior Secretary Doug Burgum and Trump.
«The Reflecting Pool water is crystal clear, and our National Park Service team is now vacuuming up the dead algae resting on the bottom of some parts of the Reflecting Pool — just like the destroyed Iranian Navy resting on the bottom of the Persian Gulf.»
The photos shared by Trump show the Reflecting Pool stretching toward the Washington Monument under blue skies. One image appears to show the pool from the Lincoln Memorial end, while a second closer view shows the Washington Monument reflected in the water.
Trump also shared a U.S. Interior Press social media post hailing the technological success, quoting that Wischer memo.
YOSEMITE, GRAND CANYON LEAD NOTABLE LIST OF NATIONAL PARK CAMPGROUNDS FOR AMERICA’S 250TH
WASHINGTON, DC – JULY 03: Pete Folch carries an American flag during a morning run past the Reflecting Pool as the city prepares for July 4th festivities on July 03, 2026, in Washington, DC. A fireworks show will begin around 10:30 p.m on July 4th as the city deals with extreme heat warnings. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) (Getty Images)
«The vacuuming is the final maintenance step after refilling the pool, and it will be complete in a few days,» his memo continued. «Already, the section of the Reflecting Pool closest to the Lincoln Memorial has been vacuumed up, and the beautiful American Flag Blue coating on the bottom of the pool can be seen clearly.»
Trump’s Interior Department has praised the technology for overcoming past challenges on keeping the pool clear, including dunking on former President Barack Obama.
«Previous administrations — most notably under Obama — failed to maintain the Reflecting Pool, and after refilling the pool, the water would quickly become murky and thick with massive clumps of algae floating on the surface,» the memo concluded.
INTERNAL EMAILS EXPOSE HOW JULY 4TH BASH IS BEING DERAILED BY DEM-RUN COUNTY: ‘OFFENSIVE’
Police said the incident happened on Friday at around 3:36 p.m. at the Reflecting Pool on the grounds of the Lincoln Memorial in the nation’s capital. (U.S. Park Police)
«The photos below show how the nanobubbler technology and vacuuming have been incredibly effective, making the water crystal clear with the American Flag Blue coating shining brightly on the bottom of the pool.
«As our National Park Service team noted, the Reflecting Pool is now so ‘blue’ that the Fake News Media, which has been staked out at the Reflecting Pool for weeks, has fled!»
The 6.75 million-gallon pool has been targeted by Trump critics and leftist anti-Trump activists for attacks both verbally and physical, Burgum discussed with ABC’s «This Week» on Sunday.
«The Reflecting Pool has been a big success,» he said. «And we’ve got 340 million people in this country that are celebrating 250. We did have a few vandals, but all that’s going to be repairable, and that’ll all be fixed in the coming weeks as we go forward.»
People look out at the Reflecting Pool and Washington Monument from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial ahead of July 4 festivities on July 03, 2026, in Washington, D.C. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
Burgum now believes that the pool might not require a full draining after its «multiple gashes that add up to 350 feet,» he added.
«We don’t know if we need to drain the whole thing or not because, you know, the cutting happened on the edge, and, of course, it slopes from the edge,» according to Burgum.
«We may be able to partially drain it and do the repair. To be able to fix it, we may not have to drain the whole thing, but it could go very quickly.»
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While the media and Trump critics are pointing to added costs of the reflecting pool refurbishment, Burgum pointed to the vandalism causing that.
«We weren’t expecting that we were going to have a small group of people that wanted to try to destroy effectively what is part of the Lincoln Memorial,» Burgum told ABC. «There’s plenty of cameras around the Lincoln statue and around the memorial, but the Reflecting Pool had gone for, you know, decades without vandalism.»
washington dc, donald trump, white house, lincoln, cabinet
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