Hamas security men seize money from Gaza bank

[Scurrilous]

<snip>

"Hamas security forces took $400,000 from a bank in the Gaza Strip Monday, in a direct challenge to Palestinian authorities in the West Bank who had frozen the money to comply with money laundering regulations.

Hamas, which runs the Gaza Strip, said the men were executing a court order to seize the assets of a medical organization, the Patient's Friend Association.

Seeking to apply global regulations against money laundering, the Palestine Monetary Authority (PMA) froze the association's account after its board fell under Hamas control, banking sources said.

Hamas is defined as a terrorist organization by Western powers. It seized control of the Gaza Strip in 2007 from forces loyal to Fatah, a party led by President Mahmoud Abbas. Abbas still controls the Ramallah-based Palestinian Authority.

The PMA described Monday's seizure, the first time Hamas had challenged the authority, as a "sinful attack."

Ehab Al-Ghsain, spokesman for the Hamas-run Interior Ministry, said Monday's move was "the implementation of a judicial decision." The association had "resorted to court after the Fatah government froze its account in the bank," he said."

http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE62S3YW20100329

[aquart]

1. The bank had $400,000 in ready cash?

I didn't know that was even possible anymore.