The US Justice Department has taken a significant step in holding Hamas accountable for its deadly attack on Israel last year. The department has charged Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar and several other top figures in the Palestinian group with crimes including the murder of US citizens, conspiracy to finance terrorism, and use of weapons of mass destruction.
US Attorney General Merrick Garland stated that Hamas had committed the “deadliest massacre of Jews since the Holocaust” during the assault in southern Israel on 7 October. The indictment marks the first effort by US law enforcement to target the ringleaders of the attack, even though some of those named in the charges are deceased and Sinwar is believed to be hiding in tunnels under Gaza.
The charges also include former Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, Marwan Issa, Khaled Mashaal, Mohammed Deif, and Ali Baraka. The group is accused of conspiracy to bomb a public place resulting in death, conspiracy to finance terrorism, and material support for acts of terrorism resulting in death.
FBI Director Christopher Wray emphasized that Hamas is classified as a foreign terrorist organization in the US and has a history of violence that poses a threat to American interests worldwide. The justice department’s statement also highlighted Iran’s role in supporting Hamas and its campaign of terrorism against the US and Israel.
If convicted, the group could face a maximum penalty of life in prison or the death sentence. The charges were filed in February but were only made public on Tuesday to allow for the potential arrest of the accused. President Joe Biden has condemned the Hamas killing of a US-Israeli hostage and vowed that Hamas leaders will face consequences for their actions.
In response to the ongoing conflict, the UK has defended its decision to ban certain weapons sales to Israel over concerns about their use in Gaza. The attack by Hamas on southern Israel last year resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 people and the hostage-taking of 251 others. The conflict has since escalated, with more than 40,000 people killed in Gaza in Israel’s continued military campaign.
