The Justice Department has unsealed terrorism, murder conspiracy, and sanctions-evasion charges against six senior leaders of Hamas, a designated foreign terrorist organization. The charges pertain to the defendants' involvement in planning, supporting, and executing the terrorist attacks carried out by Hamas in Israel on October 7, 2023. These attacks resulted in numerous civilian casualties and kidnappings, including American citizens.
Attorney General Merrick B. Garland stated, "The Justice Department has charged Yahya Sinwar and other senior leaders of Hamas for financing, directing, and overseeing a decades-long campaign to murder American citizens and endanger the national security of the United States." He added that nearly 1,200 people were killed on October 7th by Hamas terrorists led by these defendants.
Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco emphasized the ongoing efforts to hold those responsible accountable: "Yahya Sinwar and the other senior leaders of Hamas are charged today with orchestrating this terrorist organization’s decades-long campaign of mass violence and terror — including on October 7th."
FBI Director Christopher Wray reiterated the FBI's commitment to investigating these crimes: "From the moment Hamas launched its horrific attack on October 7, the FBI has been dedicated to identifying and charging those responsible for these heinous crimes."
Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department’s National Security Division remarked on their mission: "The core mission of the National Security Division is to protect Americans from violent terrorists and extremist organizations like Hamas."
U.S. Attorney Damian Williams for the Southern District of New York highlighted the historical context: "For decades, Hamas and its leadership have dedicated themselves to the eradication of the State of Israel."
According to court documents, Hamas was founded in 1987 with an objective to create an Islamic Palestinian state throughout Israel through violent means. Since its inception, it has been designated as a foreign terrorist organization by the United States since 1997.
The complaint names several key figures within Hamas:
- Ismail Haniyeh served as chairman of Hamas’s Politburo until his reported death in July.
- Yahya Sinwar is currently identified as the leader of Hamas.
- Mohammad Al-Masri held command over al-Qassam Brigades until his reported death in July.
- Marwan Issa was deputy commander until his reported death in March.
- Khaled Meshaal heads Hamas’ diaspora office.
- Ali Baraka serves as head of National Relations Abroad.
Hamas has executed numerous acts of violence targeting civilians over its history. On October 7, 2023, they launched their most extensive attack yet—resulting in significant casualties among civilians including Americans.
Hamas' operations have received substantial support from Iran's Government through entities like IRGC-QF. This support has enabled them to carry out large-scale attacks such as those seen on October 7.
In addition to traditional funding methods, since 2019 Hamas has solicited cryptocurrency payments via social media platforms to fund their activities.
Each defendant faces multiple charges including conspiring to provide material support resulting in death and conspiring to use weapons of mass destruction resulting in death. If convicted they could face life imprisonment or even capital punishment depending on specific charges.
The FBI is leading investigations into this case while prosecution efforts are being managed by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sam Adelsberg et al., along with Trial Attorneys Alicia Cook and C. Alexandria Bogle from DOJ’s Counterterrorism Section.
A complaint remains an allegation until proven otherwise; all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt within judicial proceedings.