US Indicts Hamas Leaders for Terrorism Linked to October 7 Attacks
On Tuesday, the US Department of Justice took a significant legal step by indicting several leaders of Hamas for their involvement in terrorism, specifically tied to the attacks carried out by the group on October 7 of the previous year in Israel. This unprecedented move marks the first time criminal proceedings have been initiated in the United States against members of Hamas.
The charges stem from alleged plots that aimed to target US citizens both domestically and abroad. Under US law, the Department of Justice has the authority to indict foreign individuals implicated in acts of violence against US citizens, irrespective of where these acts occurred.
The indictment, which was filed in a federal court in New York in February, was only made public recently, as the department felt the justification for maintaining its confidentiality had decreased.
A prominent figure among those indicted is Yahya Sinwar, who was serving as the political chief of Hamas in the Gaza Strip at the time of the attacks. Following the death of Ismail Haniyeh in an alleged Israeli attack in Iran, Sinwar has since emerged as the leader of Hamas. Together with other leaders, he is accused of funding, directing, and orchestrating a prolonged campaign aimed at targeting and killing American citizens while jeopardizing national security. US Attorney General Merrick Garland emphasized the seriousness of these offenses and the potential implications for American lives.
Apart from Sinwar, the indictment also names other Hamas figures, including Ismail Haniyeh and Marwan Issa, both of whom have reportedly been killed in recent months, as well as Muhammad Deif, among others. The list of indicted leaders also includes two individuals who are still alive but have fled Gaza: Khaled Mashaal, currently residing in Qatar, and Ali Baraka, who is living in Lebanon.
This move by the US Justice Department is poised to further complicate the already tense relations between the United States and Hamas, highlighting the ongoing concern over international terrorism and the protection of US citizens overseas.
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