US sanctions Palestinian Authority officials, PLO members

WASHINGTON (AFP): The US imposed sanctions on Palestinian Authority officials and members of the Palestine Liberation Organization on Thursday, saying the groups are undermining peace efforts as American officials separately seek to salvage ceasefire talks in Gaza.

The move prevents those targeted from receiving visas to travel to the United States, the US State Department said, although it did not list any specific individuals.

“It is in our national security interests to impose consequences and hold the PLO and PA accountable for not complying with their commitments and undermining the prospects for peace,” the department said in a statement.

The State Department said the two Palestinian groups had “taken actions to internationalize its conflict with Israel,” including through the International Criminal Court, and said both had continued “to support terrorism.”

Representatives for the Palestinian Authority and the Palestine Liberation Organization could not immediately be reached for comment.

The sanctions come as US special envoy Steve Witkoff was expected to arrive in Israel on Thursday in a bid to save Gaza ceasefire talks and tackle a humanitarian crisis in the Palestinian enclave.

Israel faces growing world pressure over the war in Gaza, and several Western powers have said they will recognize a Palestinian state.