U.S. freezes assets of group with alleged ties to Hamas

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Treasury Department on Sunday ordered U.S. banks to freeze the assets of an Ohio-based group the government claims funnels money to the militant organization Hamas.
The organization, KindHearts of Toledo, Ohio, was connected with the Hamas-affiliated Holy Land Foundation and the Al-Qaida-affiliated Global Relief Foundation, the Treasury Department said. The government took similar action against those groups in late 2001.
Under the government action, U.S. citizens are barred from doing business with KindHearts.
KindHearts describes itself on its Web site as a nonprofit charitable organization administering humanitarian aid to the world's poor. In the past, its officials have denied being connected to any terrorist group or individual.
The government contends KindHearts officials have coordinated with Hamas leaders and made contributions to Hamas-affiliated organizations.