The Department of Justice on Monday said it has formed a task force that will seek justice for the victims of Iranian-backed Hamas’ terrorist attack in southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, which led to the massacre of approximately 1,200 Israeli civilians, with more than 200 others being taken hostage.
The initiative, dubbed Joint Task Force October 7, also will address the ongoing threat posed by Hamas and any of its affiliates, the DOJ said in a news release. There were 47 U.S. citizens who were killed during Hamas’ attack, and eight were among the roughly 250 that were taken hostage to the Gaza Strip.
Hamas is believed to still be holding one American hostage, Edan Alexander, who grew up in New Jersey and volunteered to serve in Israel’s military, and the bodies of four others believed to be dead: Itay Chen, 19; Omer Neutra, 21; Judith Weinstein, 70; and her husband, Gadi Haggai, 72.
“The barbaric Hamas terrorists will not win — and there will be consequences,” Attorney General Pamela Bondi said. “As attorney general, I have had the solemn honor of meeting with several families of U.S. citizens whose loved ones were kidnapped by Hamas on that dark day.”
“This task force will strengthen the department’s resolve to achieve justice for these families and their loved ones as we continue to fight antisemitism in all its forms.”
The DOJ said the task force, which Bondi created on her first day in office, will focus on “targeting, charging and securing for prosecution in the United States the direct perpetrators of the Oct. 7 attack.” It also will be responsible for pending charges against Hamas leadership relating to the attack and other acts of terrorism “and to bring those criminals to the United States to face justice for their reprehensible role in these atrocities.”