Written By Lisa Murimi
The United States has charged Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar and other key figures within the Palestinian group in connection with the deadly attack on Israel on 7 October last year.
The Justice Department announced that six Hamas members face seven charges, including the murder of dozens of U.S. citizens, conspiracy to finance terrorism, and the use of weapons of mass destruction.
This indictment covers decades of alleged Hamas attacks and marks the first U.S. law enforcement action aimed at holding those responsible for last October’s unprecedented assault.
However, analysts consider the move largely symbolic, as some of the accused are already dead.
Attorney General Merrick Garland emphasized the group’s role in orchestrating the attack, describing it as “the deadliest massacre of Jews since the Holocaust.”
He vowed to pursue justice for the American citizens who were killed or taken hostage.
The charges, filed in February but revealed on Tuesday, highlight the U.S. commitment to holding Hamas accountable, despite the challenges in apprehending the accused.
The development coincides with ongoing U.S. efforts to negotiate a ceasefire and hostage-release deal with Hamas, though its impact on these talks remains uncertain.
