On her first day as U.S. attorney general, Pam Bondi on Thursday established Joint Task Force October 7 (JTF 10-7) to seek justice for victims of the October 7 Hamas attack in Israel, combat Hamas-linked terrorism and address rising antisemitic crimes in the United States.
According to a Justice Department memorandum released Thursday, JTF 10-7 will pursue criminal charges against those responsible for the attack, assist victims and hostage families, investigate U.S.-based Hamas supporters and funders and collaborate with federal agencies and Israel to counter the terror group.
Hamas and affiliated groups carried out the October 7, 2023, attack, in which approximately 1,200 people were killed, including 47 U.S. citizens, and more than 200 hostages were taken, among them eight Americans.
JTF 10-7 will operate under the Deputy Attorney General’s Office with involvement from the National Security Division, the FBI, and U.S. Attorneys' Offices, coordinating with the Department of Defense and the Treasury Department.
The Justice Department will also push legislative changes to expand prosecution options for terrorism and financial crimes tied to Hamas.