A new law in Switzerland prohibiting Hamas and related groups will come into effect on May 15, the government announced on Wednesday. The legislation is designed to prevent the Palestinian militant group from using Switzerland as a refuge by facilitating easier entry bans and deportations.

The law, passed by parliament last December, was introduced in response to the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. It provides Swiss authorities with the tools needed to act against Hamas activities or any support for the group within the country.

The Gaza conflict escalated after the Hamas attack, which resulted in 1,200 deaths and the abduction of 251 hostages, according to Israeli reports. In retaliation, Israel’s military actions have led to over 52,000 Palestinian deaths, according to local health authorities.

The new Swiss law grants authorities the ability to implement preventative measures such as banning entry or expelling individuals, while also making it more challenging for Hamas to operate financially within Switzerland.