Overview

Hassan Al-Wardian is a Bethlehem-based senior Hamas official. Given al-Wardian’s tenure with the terror organization, the U.S. Department of State designated al-Wardian as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) on December 13, 2023.“Counter Terrorism Designations,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, December 13, 2023, https://ofac.treasury.gov/recent-actions/20231213.

Al-Wardian’s wife has stated that he is a building contractor and served as the imam at one of Bethlehem’s mosques.Joseph Algazy, “Now Incitement Against the Fence Is Grounds for Administrative Detention,” Haaretz (Tel Aviv), February 17, 2004, https://www.haaretz.com/2004-02-17/ty-article/now-incitement-against-the-fence-is-grounds-for-administrative-detention/0000017f-f09a-d223-a97f-fddfa5270000?v=1702581915699. Al-Wardian eventually went on to serve as a political and field commander for Hamas in Bethlehem before he was selected by U.S.-designated Hamas political bureau member Musa Muhammad Salim Dudin for a leadership role within Hamas’s West Bank outpost.“U.S. And UK Target Additional Hamas Finance Officials and Representatives,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, December 13, 2023, https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/jy1981.

As a senior Hamas official, al-Wardian has been arrested by Israeli forces multiple times. On April 5, 2002, al-Wardian was placed in Ketziot prison under the authority of an administrative decree.Joseph Algazy, “Now Incitement Against the Fence Is Grounds for Administrative Detention,” Haaretz (Tel Aviv), February 17, 2004, https://www.haaretz.com/2004-02-17/ty-article/now-incitement-against-the-fence-is-grounds-for-administrative-detention/0000017f-f09a-d223-a97f-fddfa5270000?v=1702581915699. The details of his arrest were never revealed, but al-Wardian reportedly spent at least 10 years in detention.Palestinian Information Center, “Hamas leader on hunger strike in PA jail,” Scoop World, June 30, 2012, https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO1207/S00021/hamas-leader-on-hunger-strike-in-pa-jail.htm?from-mobile=bottom-link-01. Al-Wardian’s neighbors have mentioned that he has also been detained for short stints by Israeli forces due to his “sermons and activities against the occupation.”Joseph Algazy, “Now Incitement Against the Fence Is Grounds for Administrative Detention,” Haaretz (Tel Aviv), February 17, 2004, https://www.haaretz.com/2004-02-17/ty-article/now-incitement-against-the-fence-is-grounds-for-administrative-detention/0000017f-f09a-d223-a97f-fddfa5270000?v=1702581915699.

Further information regarding al-Wardian’s activities for the next decade is unavailable. However, al-Wardian was once again summoned by Israeli forces on March 18, 2021, and arrested two weeks later on April 6. The charges against al-Wardian were not disclosed.“Palestinian candidate arrested, others summoned, and roadblock to elections activities in Jerusalem: Israel must stop interference in the Palestinian elections,” Geneva Council for Rights and Liberties, April 11, 2023, https://genevacouncil.com/2021/04/11/palestinian-candidate-arrested-others-summoned-and-roadblock-to-elections-activities-in-jerusalem-israel-must-stop-interference-in-the-palestinian-elections/. On April 15, 2021, an Israeli military court sentenced al-Wardian to four months of administrative detention. According to media sources, the sentence was an attempt to prevent al-Wardian from contesting the May 2021 Palestinian parliamentary elections. However, no specific charges were cited in the sentencing.Salam Abu Sharar, “Israeli military court sentences Hamas nominees,” Anadolu Agency, April 15, 2021, https://www.aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/israeli-military-court-sentences-hamas-nominees/2210234.

On December 13, 2023, the U.S. Department of the Treasury designated al-Wardian as an SDGT for his connections to Hamas. He was designated along with seven other Hamas supporters and officials who are accused of financing and organizing Hamas activities.“Counter Terrorism Designations,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, December 13, 2023, https://ofac.treasury.gov/recent-actions/20231213. In response to the designations, Hamas condemned the sanctions as a collusion between American and British governments with “the Zionist entity,” referring to Israel.“Press Statement,” Hamas Online Telegram Channel, December 13, 2023. Hamas further claimed the designations would “not deter the Hamas movement from continuing its duty to defend the legitimate national rights of our Palestinian people.”“Press Statement,” Hamas Online Telegram Channel, December 13, 2023.