The US Justice Department has charged Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar and five other senior members of the Islamic group in relation to the October 7 attack in Israel last year.

The department announced on Tuesday that prosecutors had filed charges in February against the six Hamas members for playing central roles in planning, supporting and perpetrating the terrorist atrocities on October 7, 2023. The unsealed document said the crimes also involved the murders and kidnappings of innocent civilians, including over 40 American nationals.

Attorney General Merrick Garland said in a video statement that US authorities are investigating "each and every one of Hamas' brutal murders of Americans, as an act of terrorism." He added, "These actions will not be our last."

Among the defendants is former Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh. Haniyeh was killed while visiting Iran in July.

The announcement followed the recovery of the bodies of six hostages held by Hamas, including an American citizen. Calls have grown in the United States for the US government to take a tougher stance in dealing with the matter.