Department of Justice, FBI announces a new working group to attack Hamas

By Eric Tucker, Associated Press

Washington (AP) – The Department of Justice announced on Monday the creation of a Working Group Investigate Hamas for his October 7, 2023 attack against Israel, as well as possible civil rights violations and acts of anti -Semitism by anyone who supports the group.

The agents and prosecutors participating in the joint working group on October 7, or JTF 10-7, will investigate and seek to present charges against Hamas members directly responsible for the uproar in southern Israel, said the department.

“The barbarian terrorists of Hamas will not win, and there will be consequences,” said Attorney General Pam Bondi in a statement announcing the working group.

Hamas has been designated as a terrorist organization by the United States, Canada and the European Union.

The attack killed some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and Hamas took 251 hostages. He played an Israeli counteroffensive that has destroyed vast areas of Gaza, displaced the majority of the population and killed more than 48,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, according to the Ministry of Health of Gaza, which does not say how many were combatants.

The Bíden Administration Department of Justice revealed charges last September against the leader of Hamas Yahya Sinwar and other high -level members in relation to the attack against Israel. The impact of the case is mainly symbolic since Sinwar was killed by Israeli forces weeks later And it is believed that now several other defendants are dead.

The new working group will take care of those pending positions, the department said.

The announcement of the working group occurs when President Donald Trump has issued what has called a “last warning” to Hamas will launch all the remaining hostages held in Gaza. His administration has attacked universities about a failure perceived to silence anti -Semitism on campus, as well as foreigners who Participated in pro-palestinian demonstrations.

The Department of Justice announced this month that I was investigating If Columbia University hid “illegal foreigners” on its campus and federal immigration agents arrested Mahmoud KhalilA Palestinian activist and student of Columbia.

The Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, said he revoked Khalil’s permission to be in the US.

Khalil’s lawyers have challenged their detention in court.

Monday’s announcement said the working group, composed of FBI prosecutors and officials, will also investigate civil rights violations and possible acts of terrorism for anyone who provides support or financing to Hamas.

He did not define what type of support would be illegal, although the Federal Law makes a crime to provide material support to foreign terrorist organizations designated as Hamas.

The Department of Justice said that FBI agents will be integrated with the National Office of Finance against Israel’s terror.

Originally published: March 17, 2025 at 3:21 pm edt