WASHINGTON, March 18 (Reuters) - The US Treasury said on Thursday it imposed sanctions against two firms in Gaza -- Islamic National Bank and Al-Aqsa Television -- for their ties to the ruling Hamas movement.

The treasury said the sanctions prohibit Americans from transactions with the designated entities and seek to freeze any assets they may have under US jurisdiction.

The treasury previously blacklisted Hamas, which rules Gaza, as a 'specially designated global terrorist' organization.

It said the sanctions were imposed against Islamic National Bank, opened by Hamas in April 2009, for providing financial services to Hamas members and employees, including members of its military wing. The Treasury said the bank lacks a legal license from the Palestinian Monetary Authority and operates outside the legitimate financial system.

The treasury said Al-Aqsa Television station is financed and controlled by Hamas and serves as a primary Hamas media outlet that airs programs 'designed to recruit children to become Hamas armed fighters and suicide bombers upon reaching adulthood.'