US May Apply Terrorist Label to Popular Resistance Committees, Official Says
The Trump administration is considering imposing a terrorist designation on the Gaza-based Popular Resistance Committees, a State Department official said July 23.
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“The department is committed to reviewing" the coalition of Gaza-based armed groups "for a potential terrorism designation,” acting counterterrorism coordinator Gregory LoGerfo told the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Middle East and North Africa. “As with all sanctions, we review all-source information, including engaging with our foreign partners to assess what is credible, sound evidence to demonstrate that the organization meets the statutory criteria.”
Asked by Rep. Brad Sherman, D-Calif., when State will complete its review, LoGerfo said he will “commit to getting back to you as soon as possible.” Sherman indicated he wants to see the review done in a month. He said LoGerfo’s predecessors “have just not focused on this” despite the groups' long history of terrorist activity.
Citing the groups' participation in the Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel, Sherman reintroduced a bill in March that would designate the coalition a specially designated global terrorist organization, creating criminal and civil penalties for anyone providing support (see 2503260056). The legislation would also place financial asset-blocking sanctions on the groups, preventing them and their members from accessing the U.S. financial system.