Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of the role of Hamas's political wing as a source for the funding of Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades.

We assess that funding for Hamas’ military wing comes from a range of sources in the region and internationally, not all of which are clear. We work closely across the Government and the international community to deny Hamas Izz al-Din al-Qassem Brigades access to funds. An EU asset freeze is in place against Hamas in its entirety which prevents funds being made available to the organisation from within EU Member States. The UK has also proscribed Hamas Izz al-Din al-Qassem Brigades. Amongst other penalties, it is a criminal offence for a person to invite support for a proscribed organisation.