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In a decisive move to address obstacles to peace between Israelis and Palestinians, the U.S. imposed sanctions on the Israeli group Tsav 9 on Friday. The group is accused of attacking humanitarian aid convoys destined for Gaza, where civilians face severe shortages amid ongoing conflict.
The sanctions target Tsav 9, linked to Israeli army reservists and Jewish settlers in the West Bank, for actions including blocking, harassing, and damaging aid shipments. Palestinians urgently need aid as Israel’s eight-month-long invasion and bombardment of Gaza has resulted in at least 37,000 deaths, according to the territory’s health ministry. Israel denies accusations of blocking aid.
The sanctions were issued under an executive order on West Bank violence signed by President Joe Biden in February, previously used against Jewish settlers and Palestinian militant groups. The Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control listed Tsav 9 as sanctioned on Friday, as first reported by Reuters.
Aaron Forsberg, director of the State Department’s office of sanctions policy and implementation, emphasized targeting any entities threatening West Bank peace, regardless of their background. On May 13, Tsav 9 members looted and set fire to two aid trucks near Hebron, claiming to prevent supplies from reaching Hamas and accusing the Israeli government of aiding the Islamist group.
State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller stated that Tsav 9 has repeatedly blocked and damaged aid routes from Jordan to Gaza, including violent actions in the West Bank. The sanctions freeze Tsav 9’s U.S. assets and prohibit American dealings with the group.
The human rights group Democracy for the Arab World Now (DAWN) called for these sanctions, alleging Tsav 9’s impunity and funding from Israeli and U.S. organizations. Palestinian rights groups have long criticized Israeli authorities for not intervening in settler attacks in the West Bank.
Following the May 13 attack, Israel arrested four Tsav 9 members, including a minor. Forsberg asserted that the U.S. would continue using all available tools to ensure accountability and has urged Israeli authorities to take similar actions.
