The United States Department of Justice announced criminal charges on Tuesday against three members of Hamas’s leadership for their roles in the October 7 massacre in southern Israel.
The Islamist group’s leader, Yahya Sinwar, and senior officials Ali Baraka and Khaled Meshaal are accused in a seven-count indictment of conspiring to murder U.S. nationals and offenses related to providing material support to terrorist organizations.
“The charges unsealed today are just one part of our effort to target every aspect of Hamas’s operations,” U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland said in a video statement while confirming that “these actions will not be our last.”
“As outlined in our complaint, those defendants—armed with weapons, political support, and funding from the Government of Iran, and support from Hezbollah—have led Hamas’s efforts to destroy the State of Israel and murder civilians in support of that aim,” Garland added.
The legal action also named Ismail Haniyeh, the assassinated former Hamas chief, along with his deceased associates Muhammad Deif and Marwan Issa, as defendants.
Prosecutors reportedly filed the complaint on February 1 but decided to keep the matter under seal in the hopes of apprehending Haniyeh from his residence in Qatar.
The incursion that the respondents orchestrated resulted in the deaths of 1,200 Israelis and the abduction of 251 hostages. The surprise attack and following rampage included widespread incidents of arson, looting, and sexual violence.
Related Story: Twice as Many Gazans Invaded Southern Israel on October 7 Than Previously Thought: Report
Related Story: FBI Investigating Financial Backers Behind October 7 Massacre: Report
