US Launches Special Task Force to Prosecute Hamas for October 7 Massacre

In a landmark move, the United States Department of Justice has announced the formation of a special task force dedicated to prosecuting Hamas for its brutal October 7 attack on Israel. The task force, officially named Joint Task Force October 7 (JTF 10-7), will focus not only on holding Hamas leadership accountable but also on cracking down on Hamas supporters within the US.

Attorney-General Pamela Bondi, in her announcement Monday, made it clear: “The barbaric Hamas terrorists will not win and there will be consequences.” She emphasized her commitment to justice after meeting with several families of dual-citizen hostages currently held in Gaza, reinforcing the US's solidarity with victims and its determination to combat antisemitism.

JTF 10-7 will pursue the arrest and extradition of top Hamas figures, including Ali Baraka, head of Hamas National Relations Abroad, and Khaled Mashaal, acting chair of Hamas’s Political Bureau. The task force will also handle charges against deceased Hamas leaders such as Yahya Sinwar, Ismail Haniyeh, Mohammad Deif, and Marwan Issa.

The initiative builds on prior FBI criminal complaints, and its scope includes investigating acts of terrorism, civil rights violations, and antisemitic crimes tied to Hamas supporters on American soil. This will specifically target illegal support of Hamas in the US, including activities on college campuses.

Deputy Attorney-General Todd Blanche highlighted the US government’s commitment, stating, “The victims of Hamas’s decades-long violent campaign of terrorism against Israel will always have the support of the US government… Antisemitic acts of terrorism whether here or abroad will never go unpunished.”

Staffed by FBI agents, analysts, forensic accountants, data scientists, and linguists, the task force will operate out of Langley, Virginia. FBI Director Kash Patel reaffirmed the bureau’s dedication to providing investigative and victim assistance in the wake of Hamas’s terror acts.

Additionally, the task force will investigate American Hamas supporters, as well as potential antisemitic violations tied to the group, including inquiries involving the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA). Notably, the Trump administration recently moved to deport Columbia University activist Mahmoud Khalil over his reported support for Hamas, signaling the administration’s hardline stance.

This unprecedented initiative underscores the strong, unwavering alliance between the United States and Israel, and the commitment to hold accountable all who support terrorism and antisemitism.

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