WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) – The Justice Department is charging top Hamas leaders for their role in the October 7th massacre in Israel. The terrorism charges come as pressure mounts in the Middle East for a ceasefire deal, after Hamas killed six hostages this weekend, including an Israeli American.
Attorney General Merrick Garland says this newly unsealed complaint charges Hamas with directing a decades-long campaign to murder Americans.
“They murdered entire families,” said Garland.
The U.S. has charged top Hamas leaders in connection to the October 7th terror attack in Israel.
“Hamas terrorists murdered nearly 1,200 people, including over 40 Americans, and kidnapped hundreds of civilians,” said Garland.
Attorney General Merrick Garland announced the terrorism charges just days after six hostages were found dead in Gaza, including 23-year-old Israeli-American Hersh Goldberg-Polin.
“We are investigating Hersh’s murder and each and every one of the brutal murders of Americans as acts of terrorism,” said Garland.
The State Department says the hostage deaths make reaching a ceasefire deal even more urgent.
“The people of Israel cannot afford to wait any longer. The Palestinian people, who are also suffering the terrible effects of this war, cannot afford to wait any longer. The world cannot afford to wait any longer,” said State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller.
The White House says it’s working around the clock to get a deal but also justice for so many families.
“Make no mistake about it. Hamas leaders are going to pay for these crimes,” said White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre.
Garland promised these charges would not be the last against Hamas.
“The Justice Department has a long memory,” said Garland.
The case though may be mostly symbolic since the Justice Department notes three of the six defendants are believed to have been killed in recent months.
