The US Department of Justice is preparing to file criminal charges against senior Hamas leaders, including Yahya Sinwar and his associates, for their role in the Oct. 7 onslaught on Israel in which terrorists killed over 40 American citizens. The criminal complaint, submitted to a federal court in New York, includes charges of conspiracy to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization resulting in death.
The Justice Department's statement specifically mentioned dual American-Israeli citizen Hersh Goldberg-Polin, who was killed by Hamas last week after being held captive for nearly 11 months.
"The charges unsealed today are just one part of our effort to target every aspect of Hamas' operations. These actions will not be our last," Attorney General Merrick Garland said in a video statement.
Additional Hamas leaders charged include Ismail Haniyeh, who was eliminated in Iran; Marwan Issa, deputy leader of Hamas's military wing in Gaza; Khaled Mashaal, another deputy to Haniyeh and former leader of the organization; and others.
The seven-count complaint marks the first legal action taken by the United States against those behind the attack on Israel. Charges also include conspiracy to murder US nationals and use weapons of mass destruction. The US additionally accuses Hezbollah and Iran of providing financial support and weapons, including rockets used in the attack.
Sinwar, who has been in hiding underground in Gaza since the war began, and Haniyeh will not stand trial. However, according to an Associated Press report, US officials say at least one individual, whose name was not disclosed, is expected to be brought to New York to face prosecution.
On Sunday, shortly after the announcement of Goldberg-Polin's death in Hamas captivity, President Joe Biden stated unequivocally, "Hamas leaders will pay for their crimes."
The Justice Department's statement noted that Hamas has been designated as a foreign terrorist organization since 1997, with the goal of establishing an Islamic Palestinian state through violent means. The organization has employed rockets, suicide bombings, and other brutal tactics for decades, escalating threats to US national security.
