As the one-year anniversary of the latest round of conflict between Israel and Palestine approached on October 7, the U.S. Department of the Treasury took significant action by imposing sanctions on Yemeni businessman Sheikh Hamid Al-Ahmad and nine of his associated companies. The U.S. government cited Al-Ahmad’s financial support for Hamas, the Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement, as the primary reason for these sanctions.

Fast forward to December 27, 2023, and images from the region show thick smoke billowing near the Israel-Gaza border, highlighting the ongoing tensions. Since Hamas launched its surprise attack on Israel on October 7, the consequences have been devastating. The Palestinian health authorities have reported nearly 42,000 deaths and over 90,000 injuries in the Gaza Strip alone, underscoring the catastrophic toll of this conflict.