The U.S. government files charges against Hamas leaders in connection with the October 7 attack, signaling a strong stance against terrorism. Get the latest details on the case
Hamas leaders face terrorism charges unveiled by the US Justice Department in connection with their surprise attack on Israel last October. The Palestinian militant group’s strike resulted in approximately 1,200 fatalities and over 200 abductions, prompting this legal action.
In February, charges were filed by the FBI; however, the complaint was not revealed until Tuesday as it was under seal.
The political leader of Hamas, Yahya Sinwar, and five other top members were accused by US Attorney General Merrick Garland of playing a role in “planning, supporting, and carrying out terrorist attacks”. They are facing charges for financing terrorism, aiding with resources to facilitate the execution of bombings along with plotting to use weapons capable enough to cause mass destruction.
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The Department of Justice stated that Hamas and its leaders have been committed to destroying the State of Israel for many years. They have also shown a willingness to harm and kill anyone who opposes them, including numerous Americans. The DOJ further noted that on October 7th over 40 American citizens were killed, while eight others either went missing or remain unaccounted for as a result of their actions.
READ ALSO: New Hamas Leader Yahya Sinwar Marked by Israel for Elimination
The DOJ has pressed charges against Khaled Meshaal, the Hamas diaspora leader in Qatar, and Ali Baraka, the foreign affairs chief residing in Lebanon. In addition to Sinwar’s indictment shared earlier.
The DOJ is seeking three Hamas officials who are no longer alive. Ismail Haniyeh, the former political chief, was reportedly assassinated in Tehran last July. While Israel has claimed that Mohammed Deif and Marwan Issa were killed during IDF airstrikes on Gaza, Hamas has not acknowledged their deaths.
Reuters reported that the DOJ’s initial plan was to apprehend Haniyeh alive, but decided to reveal the charges after learning of his killing.
During May, the International Criminal Court’s lead prosecutor requested that arrest warrants be issued for Haniyeh, Sinwar and Deif in addition to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant over allegations of war crime charges.
In the previous year, South Africa initiated legal proceedings against Israel in the International Court of Justice over allegations of genocide committed by them in Gaza. The ongoing conflict has resulted in the deaths of more than 40,000 Palestinians. However, Israel refuted these charges as “absurd.”
