(NewsNation) — The Department of Justice announced details about a joint task force that will investigate the Oct. 7, 2023, terrorist attack in Israel and the ongoing threat posed by Hamas.
Joint Task Force October 7 was established by Attorney General Pam Bondi on her first day in office, with the DOJ saying it would be seeking justice for victims of the Oct. 7 attack.
“The barbaric Hamas terrorists will not win—and there will be consequences,” 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 attack committed by Hamas on Oct. 7 led to the murders of approximately 1,200 people with around 250 taken hostage. Among those, 47 people who died were U.S. citizens, and eight U.S. citizens were among those taken hostage.
Following the attack, Israel began military actions in the Gaza Strip, the start of a war that is currently in a temporary ceasefire as negotiations for a permanent ceasefire continue.
The task force will focus on charging and securing for prosecution those who directly perpetrated the attacks and Hamas leadership who were involved in planning the Oct. 7 attacks and other acts of terrorism.
The task force will also investigate acts of terrorism and civil rights violations by individuals or groups who provided support or financing to Hamas, other Iranian-backed proxy groups and affiliates. According to a press release from the department, that will also include acts of antisemitism.
The task force will be led by a senior counterterrorism prosecutor from the DOJ and will include senior FBI officials, trial attorneys and other specialists.