DOJ Charges Hamas Leaders in Major Terrorism Conspiracy, Oct. 7 Attacks

On Tuesday, the Justice Department unveiled charges against several high-ranking members of Hamas, alleging their involvement in the kidnapping and murder of Americans during the group’s attack on Israel on October 7. The criminal complaint, filed in the Southern District of New York, identifies six leaders of Hamas and provides detailed accounts of their alleged terrorist actions on behalf of the organization.

The complaint encompasses seven serious charges, which include conspiracy to provide material support to a foreign terrorist group that resulted in death, conspiracy to commit acts of terrorism resulting in death, conspiracy to murder U.S. nationals, conspiracy to bomb public venues leading to death, conspiracy to use weapons of mass destruction, and conspiracy to violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act.

Among the individuals named in the complaint are Ismail Haniyeh, a Hamas leader who was assassinated in Iran last July, and Yahya Sinwar, identified by Secretary of State Antony Blinken as a key figure in cease-fire negotiations. Other defendants include Mohammad Al-Masri, Marwan Issa, Khaled Meshaal, and Ali Baraka.

The Justice Department had initially filed these charges in February but kept them sealed in hopes of taking Haniyeh and other conspirators into U.S. custody. However, with three of the six individuals now deceased and changes in the situation in the region, the department deemed it unnecessary to pursue this course of action.

In announcing the unsealing of the complaint, Attorney General Merrick Garland underscored the serious nature of the allegations, stating that the defendants financed and orchestrated a protracted campaign to murder American citizens and jeopardize U.S. security. “These individuals, equipped with weapons, political backing, and financial support from Iran and Hezbollah, have spearheaded Hamas’ efforts to eliminate the State of Israel and kill civilians in the process,” Garland said. He noted that Hamas has caused the deaths or injuries of thousands, including multiple American nationals, over the last three decades.

Garland also confirmed an ongoing investigation by the Justice Department into the murder of six hostages by Hamas over the past weekend, one of whom, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, held dual American-Israeli citizenship. “The charges unsealed today are only one facet of our comprehensive strategy to dismantle Hamas’ operations,” Garland added. “We are dedicated to pursuing the terrorists accountable for the murders of Americans, along with those who unlawfully support them, throughout their lives.”

The atrocities committed by Hamas on October 7 were unprecedented, involving a coordinated assault on southern Israel by air, land, and sea. The attacks resulted in over 1,200 fatalities and left 253 individuals taken hostage, according to reports from Israeli authorities. Currently, it is estimated that 97 hostages remain captive in Gaza. Before the recent hostage killings, U.S. and Israeli officials believed that fewer than 50 hostages were still alive.

During the October 7 assault, twelve American citizens were among those taken hostage. Two were released in late October, followed by two more in November as part of a cease-fire agreement. Of the eight Americans still held in Gaza, four have been confirmed dead, while there are indications that the remaining four may still be alive.

Amid the ongoing violence, it has been reported that more than 40,800 Palestinians have died, with over 94,200 others injured in Gaza since the beginning of the conflict on October 7. This surge in casualties has occurred during Israel’s ongoing military operations and aerial attacks on the Gaza Strip, as documented by the Hamas-run Gaza Ministry of Health.

As developments continue in the region, the implications of these charges against senior Hamas leadership reverberate, signaling a commitment by the U.S. government to confront and dismantle terrorist networks that threaten its citizens and allies.