Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the extent to which the Government has used counterterrorism powers in respect of Hamas since 31 January 2020.

The Government does not routinely comment on intelligence matters.

The Hamas listing was extended to cover the organisation in its entirety in November 2021. This makes being a member of or expressing support for Hamas a criminal offence, which carries up to a 14-year prison sentence and/or an unlimited fine.

Hamas is also subject to an asset freeze under the Counter-Terrorism (International Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations, 2019.

The investigation and prosecution of proscription offences is a matter for the police and Crown Prosecution Service. It would be inappropriate for the Government to comment further on such matters.