US State Department sanctions West Bank Palestinian group ‘Lions’ Den’

The US State Department has imposed sanctions on ‘Lions’ Den,’ identifying it as ‘a militant Palestinian group’ in the West Bank.

Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said: ‘In October 2022, Lions’ Den claimed responsibility for several drive-by shootings in the Nablus area. Lions’ Den members opened fire at Israeli vehicles driving close to the nearby settlement of Elon Moreh, injuring a taxi driver and damaging vehicles. In a separate attack, numerous shots were fired toward the West Bank settlement of Har Bracha. In September 2022, Lions’ Den fighters injured and killed Palestinian civilians during clashes between Palestinian fighters and Palestinian Authority Security Forces in Nablus. In April 2024, Palestinian media reported that Lions’ Den fighters targeted Israeli forces with small arms at an Israeli checkpoint in Nablus.’

He said the measure was imposed pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 14115, which authorises sanctions related to security in the West Bank.