In a significant development in the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, the US Department of Justice has unsealed charges against six Hamas leaders, including Yahya Sinwar and Ismail Haniyeh, for their alleged roles in the October 7, 2023 attack on Israel. The charges, which were filed in February but kept under seal until now, include conspiracy to provide material support for acts of terrorism resulting in death, conspiracy to murder US nationals, and conspiracy to use weapons of mass destruction.US Attorney General Merrick Garland announced the charges, stating, ‘The charges unsealed today are just one part of our effort to target every aspect of Hamas’s operations. These actions will not be our last’. The indictment describes the attack as the ‘most violent, large-scale terrorist attack to date’ in Hamas’ history, detailing a brutal campaign of violence throughout southern Israel.The October 7 attack resulted in the deaths of 1,205 people, mostly civilians, including over 40 American citizens. It also led to the taking of hundreds of hostages, with 97 still believed to be in captivity. In response, Israel launched a massive retaliation that has left 40,819 dead in Gaza, according to the territory’s health ministry.The charges come at a critical time in the ongoing conflict, with the US reportedly working on a new cease-fire and hostage deal proposal with Egyptian and Qatari mediators. A US official stated that there was no reason to believe the charges would affect the ongoing negotiations.While the charges are largely symbolic, as most of the accused are either in hiding or deceased, they represent a significant step in the US government’s efforts to hold Hamas accountable for the attack. The Department of Justice’s actions underscore the ongoing complexities of the Israel-Hamas conflict and its far-reaching international implications.
Key points
- US Department of Justice charges six Hamas leaders for the October 7, 2023 attack on Israel.
- Charges include conspiracy to provide material support for terrorism, murder of US nationals, and use of weapons of mass destruction.
- The attack resulted in 1,205 deaths, including over 40 Americans, and led to ongoing conflict in Gaza.
- US working on new cease-fire proposal amid ongoing legal actions.
Contradictions👾Some sources report the charges were filed in February, while others suggest they were filed more recently.
This discrepancy might be due to the unsealing date versus the actual filing date.
