U.S. Charges Top Hamas Leaders in Connection with Deadly Attack in Israel

The United States has charged six senior Hamas leaders, including Yahya Sinwar, for their roles in the deadly October 7 attack in Israel. The Justice Department has levied seven charges, including murder and kidnapping of civilians, with accusations of financial and weapon support from Iran and Hezbollah.

The United States has charged six senior Hamas leaders, including Yahya Sinwar, for their roles in the deadly October 7 attack in Israel. The U.S. Justice Department announced on September 3 that it was indicting the individuals on seven charges, including murders and kidnappings of civilians, among them American citizens.

The indictment also accuses Iran and Lebanon's Hezbollah of providing financial support and weapons to Hamas. According to the Justice Department, the defendants are either deceased or remain at large.

Attorney General Merrick B. Garland stated that the charges include financing and directing a decades-long campaign to murder American citizens and endanger U.S. security. He highlighted that on October 7, Hamas terrorists murdered nearly 1,200 people and kidnapped hundreds of civilians, including 40 Americans. Garland added, "We are investigating these murders as acts of terrorism."

President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris condemned the killing of American-Israeli hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin. U.S. court documents note that Hamas has been designated a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) since 1997.

Other charged Hamas leaders include Ismail Haniyeh, Marwan Issa, Khaled Mashaal, Mohammed Deif, and Ali Baraka, who have been linked to various leadership roles within the organization.

(With inputs from agencies.)