The Justice Department charged six senior members of Hamas with terrorism and other crimes in connection with the Oct. 7 attacks on Israel, the D.O.J. announced on Tuesday.
The charges were unsealed and named six members of Hamas’ leadership including Ismail Haniyeh, Mohammad al-Masri, Marwan Issa, Khaled Meshaal and Ali Baraka. They were charged with conspiracy to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization resulting in death, conspiracy to murder U.S. nationals.
The other defendants listed are Mohammad Al-Masri, Marwan Issa, Khaled Meshaal and Ali Baraka.
“As outlined in our complaint, those defendants — armed with weapons, political support and funding from the Government of Iran, and support from Hizballah [Hezbollah] — have led Hamas’ efforts to destroy the State of Israel and murder civilians in support of that aim,” Garland said. “In its attacks over the past three decades, Hamas has murdered or injured thousands of civilians, including dozens of American citizens.”
“The charges unsealed today are just one part of our effort to target every aspect of Hamas’ operations. These actions will not be our last,” Garland added. “The Justice Department has a long memory. We will pursue the terrorists responsible for murdering Americans — and those who illegally provide them with material support — for the rest of their lives.”
Baraka, 57, leads Hamas’ National Relations Abroad and is responsible for the group’s foreign relations, according to the complaint.
Meshaal, 68, leads Hamas’ diaspora office and is responsible for the group’s presence outside of Gaza.
Over 40,800 Palestinians have been killed and more than 94,200 others have been injured in Gaza since Oct. 7, according to the Hamas-run Gaza Ministry of Health.
