Israel US judiciary brings charges against Hamas leader Sinwar

The US government is taking legal action against Hamas leader Jihia al-Sinwar and other high-ranking members of the Palestinian terrorist organization in connection with the massacre in Israel on 7 October 2023.

The US Department of Justice published prosecution documents on Tuesday (local time), which had already been submitted at the beginning of the year and had previously been kept under lock and key. Meanwhile, pressure is mounting on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu following the recent killing of six Israeli hostages. The situation in the Middle East is on the agenda of the UN Security Council in New York this Wednesday.

Sinwar and the other defendants are accused of terrorism, conspiracy to murder and circumventing sanctions, among other things. US Attorney General Merrick Garland said in a video message distributed by his department that the charges are against Sinwar and other senior Hamas members for funding and directing a decades-long campaign to kill American citizens and jeopardize US security. "In its attacks over the past three decades, Hamas has murdered or injured thousands of civilians, including dozens of American citizens." These actions would not be his country's last against Hamas.

Hamas atrocities unacceptable

"The atrocities committed by Hamas in Israel on October 7 are unacceptable, and the Department of Justice will not rest until Hamas is held accountable for its campaign of terror, death and destruction," Matthew Olsen, the Justice Department's national security official, was quoted as saying. The Hamas massacre, in which more than 40 American citizens were also murdered, was only the latest act of cruelty committed by Hamas, the statement continued.

Following the killing of Hamas foreign chief Ismail Haniya in Tehran at the end of July, the Islamist terrorist group has appointed Sinwar as its new leader. His whereabouts are unknown - it is assumed that he is hiding in the organization's extensive tunnel system under the Gaza Strip.

The Hamas leader is considered the mastermind behind the terrorist attack on October 7. At that time, around 1,200 people were killed and 250 others were abducted in the Gaza Strip. The unprecedented massacre triggered the war: Israel began massive attacks throughout the coastal strip. Since then, according to Palestinian figures, more than 40,000 people have been killed and more than 92,400 injured. The Hamas-controlled health authority does not differentiate between fighters and civilians in the independently verifiable figures.

Demonstrations for hostage deal

On Tuesday evening, thousands of people once again demonstrated throughout Israel in support of an agreement that would enable a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of the 101 hostages remaining there. At the demonstrations, relatives of the hostages reproached Prime Minister Netanyahu. He had "torpedoed an agreement again and again", said the daughter of one hostage, according to Israeli media reports. Other demonstrators carried signs saying that the hostages' blood was on the government's hands.

Opposition politician Benny Gantz criticized Netanyahu in a press conference. He accused the head of government of repeatedly opposing progress in the talks on an agreement to release the hostages. Netanyahu was primarily concentrating on his political survival, said Gantz. "We have to get the hostages back - even at a very high price," he emphasized. He accused Netanyahu of lying to the public about his alleged willingness to retrieve the hostages.

USA still sees hope for hostage agreement

Nevertheless, the US government still sees hope for a deal to release hostages from the hands of Hamas and once again contradicted Netanyahu in the debate. An agreement is possible, "we believe that we are close enough, that the gaps are narrow enough, that it could happen", said National Security Council Communications Director John Kirby. US President Joe Biden is personally involved in the effort, he added.

Referring to Biden's recent criticism that Netanyahu was not sufficiently committed to a deal, Kirby said: "Reaching an agreement requires compromise and leadership from everyone. "I would like to leave it at that."

Indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas, in which Qatar and Egypt are mediating alongside the USA, have been ongoing for months in order to achieve a ceasefire and the release of hostages. However, the talks do not appear to be making any progress.

Emergency meeting of the UN Security Council following the death of hostages

The situation in the Middle East and the recent killing of six Israeli hostages are on the agenda of the UN Security Council in New York this Wednesday. In a letter, Israeli Ambassador Danny Danon had called for consultations by the most powerful body of the United Nations. The Security Council must demand the "immediate and unconditional" release of all hostages, wrote Danon on X. According to diplomats, Council member Algeria also requested a meeting in view of the situation in Gaza and the West Bank.