The United States has officially charged Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar and several other high-profile members of the Palestinian group in relation to their lethal attack on Israel that occurred on October 7, 2022.
The Department of Justice announced indictments against six Hamas members, facing serious allegations including the murder of U.S. citizens, conspiracy to finance terrorism, and the use of weapons of mass destruction.
This comprehensive criminal complaint traces decades of alleged acts of violence attributed to Hamas, culminating in the unprecedented assault on southern Israel nearly a year ago. This marks the U.S. government’s first significant move toward holding the masterminds of the October attack accountable, although reports indicate that up to three individuals named in the indictment are deceased, while Sinwar is believed to be hiding underground in Gaza.
In a video statement, the Attorney General emphasized that the defendants orchestrated a prolonged campaign to target American lives and undermine U.S. security. He accused them of spearheading efforts to dismantle the state of Israel and commit atrocities against civilians.
The October 7 attack is described as the deadliest massacre of Jews since the Holocaust, with the Attorney General highlighting the brutal nature of the violence that resulted in the deaths of over 1,200 individuals, including entire families, as well as horrific acts of sexual violence.
Other prominent Hamas figures charged include former leader Ismail Haniyeh, deputy commander of the armed wing Marwan Issa, Khaled Mashaal, who oversees operations outside Gaza and the West Bank, along with Mohammed Deif and Ali Baraka. Charges against them include conspiracy to bomb public locations leading to death and material support for acts of terrorism resulting in fatalities.
The Department of Justice’s complaint notes that all accused individuals are either deceased or still at large, with reports indicating that Haniyeh, Issa, and Deif have been killed in recent months in attacks linked to Israel.
The Attorney General referenced the recent murder of U.S.-Israeli hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin, along with other American casualties from the October 7 attack. He stated, “We are investigating Hersh’s murder, and each brutal act by Hamas against Americans, as an act of terrorism.”
Should they be convicted, the indicted individuals could face life imprisonment or even the death penalty. The charges were initially filed in February but were kept confidential until now, anticipating the possibility of arrests.
Over the weekend, President Joe Biden condemned the killing of Goldberg-Polin, describing it as “tragic and reprehensible.” He affirmed, “Make no mistake, Hamas leaders will pay for these crimes.”
Meanwhile, the UK has defended its decision to restrict certain arms sales to Israel, amid concerns regarding their potential use in Gaza. Since the October attack, nearly 1,200 lives were lost, with subsequent Israeli military operations resulting in more than 40,000 fatalities in Gaza, according to local health authorities.
