The Justice Department has filed criminal charges against Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar and other senior militants in connection with a rampage in Israel on Oct. 7, 2023
This is the first move by American law enforcement to formally go after the masterminds of the attack.
The big picture: Sinwar and other leaders were charged on seven counts in a criminal complaint that was filed in federal court in New York City.
- The charges include conspiracy to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization, conspiracy to murder U.S. nationals and conspiracy to use weapons of mass destruction resulting in death.
- Further, the charges accuse Iran and Hezbollah of providing financial support and weapons, including rockets, used in the attack.
Go deeper: The impact of the case may be mostly symbolic as Sinwar is believed to be hiding out in tunnels, and the Justice Department states that three of the six defendants named in the complaint are believed to be dead.
- The charges against the Hamas leaders come amidst ongoing negotiations for a cease-fire and hostage deal with the White House, Egypt, and Qatar to bring about an agreement between Israel and Hamas to end the nearly 11-month war in Gaza.
- The indictment details how Hamas operatives engaged in a brutal campaign of violence throughout southern Israel during the 2023 attack, resulting in the death of approximately 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and is described as the “most violent, large-scale terrorist attack to date” in Hamas’ history.
- Israel’s retaliatory offensive is reported to have caused over 40,000 Palestinian casualties, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, with widespread destruction and displacement of the majority of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents.
What they’re saying: “The charges unsealed today are just one part of our effort to target every aspect of Hamas’ operations,” said Attorney General Merrick Garland in a statement. “These actions will not be our last.”
