WASHINGTON — Attorney General Merrick Garland announced criminal charges against Hamas and its leader Yahya Sinwar, following the murder of Hersh Goldberg-Polin, an American-Israeli, by the group over the weekend.
The charges, filed in federal court in New York’s Southern District, accuse Hamas and six individuals of “financing and directing a decades-long campaign to murder American citizens and endanger the security of the United States,” as stated by Garland in a video released on the Department of Justice website.
The charges include offenses that carry the death penalty. Along with the organization, Sinwar and five others, including deceased individuals like Ismail Haniyeh, have been named. The remaining three individuals are Sinwar, Khaled Meshaal, and Ali Baraka.
Garland highlighted the events of Oct. 7, when Hamas initiated a conflict with Israel resulting in casualties and abductions, as well as the recent killings of hostages, including Goldberg-Polin.
The federal government’s decision to charge Hamas and Sinwar will aid in intensifying efforts to track the group and investigate its supporters. The involvement of Meshaal also hints at potential pressure on Qatar, where Hamas leaders are based.
Hamas is already recognized as a terrorist organization by the U.S. Treasury and State Department, enabling the freezing of any funds linked to the group. The FBI is focusing on the financial aspects of Hamas, including cryptocurrency contributions.
The charges were filed in the Southern District of New York, known for its history of handling terrorism cases, with U.S. Attorney Damian Williams emphasizing the pursuit of justice against Hamas for their acts of terror.