U.S. adds Hamas leader to terrorist list

The U.S. 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.

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

Islamic Hamas movement slammed on Wednesday the U.S. decision to list Hamas politburo 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 in an emailed statement.