US adds Hamas leader to terrorist list

Washington: The US State Department on Wednesday added Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh into its terrorist list.

Haniyeh, leader and chief of the Political Bureau of Hamas, was designated as Specially Designated Global Terrorists (SDGTs) together with three other groups, Xinhua reported.

All of their property and interests in property subject to US jurisdiction will be blocked, and US persons are generally prohibited from engaging in any transactions with them. They will also be denied of access to the US financial system.

Islamic Hamas movement slammed on Wednesday the US decision to list Hamas chief among the terrorist list. The movement's leaders said they considered the U.S. decision as "ridiculous."

It was a failed attempt to keep pressure on the Palestinian armed resistance, Hamas spokesman in Gaza Hazem Qasem said.