Federal prosecutors have unsealed charges against senior Hamas leaders for their involvement in the deadly attacks on October 7, 2023, which resulted in the deaths of at least 43 American citizens and the kidnapping of about 250 individuals in Israel. The defendants include Yahya Sinwar, Ismail Haniyeh, Mohammad Al-Masri, Marwan Issa, Khaled Meshaal, and Ali Baraka. Haniyeh, Al-Masri, and Issa are deceased, while Sinwar, Meshaal, and Baraka remain at large. The charges encompass terrorism, murder conspiracy, and sanctions evasion.
Attorney General Merrick Garland emphasized that these charges are part of a broader effort to target Hamas’s operations and vowed continued support for efforts to bring remaining hostages home. The complaint, which details crimes dating back to 2001, alleges that the defendants orchestrated and financed an international terror campaign, with extensive ties to Iran and Hezbollah.
The attack, which has claimed over 1,200 lives, has intensified the conflict, with more than 40,000 casualties reported in Gaza since Israel’s military response began. Recent developments, including the death of Haniyeh in Iran and ongoing protests in Israel, have complicated peace negotiations. Efforts are ongoing through mediators, including Qatar, Egypt, and the U.S., with key issues still being debated.
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