WASHINGTON (KVOA) – The Justice Department announced the launch of Joint Task Force October 7 (JTF 10-7) to pursue justice for victims of the Oct. 7, 2023, terrorist attack in Israel. This initiative aims to address the ongoing threat posed by Hamas and its affiliates.
“The barbaric Hamas terrorists will not win—and there will be consequences,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. She emphasized the task force’s role in achieving justice for families affected by the attack and combating antisemitism.
JTF 10-7 was established as a priority on Bondi’s first day in office. The task force will target and prosecute perpetrators of the October 7 attack in the U.S. It will also handle pending charges against Hamas leadership and investigate terrorism and civil rights violations by Hamas supporters.
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said, “The victims of Hamas’s decades-long violent campaign of terrorism against Israel will always have the support of the U.S. government.” He reiterated the task force’s commitment to punishing antisemitic acts of terrorism.
FBI Director Kash Patel expressed the agency’s dedication to the task force. “Working with our federal and international partners, this task force is a collaborative initiative between agencies, and together we will work to accomplish our vital counterterrorism mission,” said Patel.
JTF 10-7 will be led by a senior counterterrorism prosecutor from the National Security Division, a senior FBI Special Agent as the Task Force Commander, and an FBI Intelligence Analyst as Deputy Task Force Commander. It will include trial attorneys, FBI agents, and other professionals co-located in Virginia.
The FBI will collaborate with law enforcement, intelligence agencies, and foreign counterparts through its Legal Attaché office in Israel. Agents will also work with Israel’s National Bureau of Counter Terror Finance.
These efforts aim to degrade and dismantle Hamas, hold supporters accountable, and achieve justice for victims while fighting terrorist-led antisemitism.
