Three Years After October 7 Massacre, Nukhba Terrorists Still Far From Indictment as Legal Delays Mount

Nearly three years after the October 7 massacre, criminal proceedings against captured Hamas Nukhba terrorists remain stalled, with prosecutors warning that indictments could be delayed by at least another two years unless responsibility for the case is transferred as planned.

Israel's Military Advocate General's Corps has warned the Justice Ministry that if the team of prosecutors currently handling the investigation is not formally transferred under its authority, the legal process could face an additional delay of at least two years before indictments are filed.

A major obstacle is the enormous volume of investigative material collected since the attack. Prosecutors began gathering and reviewing evidence during the first week after October 7, but the transition of responsibility to military prosecution has not yet been fully completed.

Government officials and members of the Knesset were recently told that the first indictments were expected in January 2027. However, that timeline is now viewed as virtually impossible to meet.

Under legislation passed by the Knesset in May 2026, responsibility for prosecuting those involved in the October 7 massacre was formally transferred to military prosecution. The IDF is continuing preparations for the military prosecution unit that will oversee the criminal cases.

The IDF Spokesperson's Unit said: "In May 2026, the Knesset passed the law for the prosecution of those responsible for the October 7 massacre. Under the law, responsibility for prosecuting the terrorists was transferred to the military prosecution. Six officers have been assigned to various positions and are expected to begin serving in their roles in the near future." The IDF added: "The employment terms for the remaining personnel assigned to the project, including those that will allow for the hiring of civilian prosecutors, have not yet been finalized. The matter remains under ongoing discussion, in cooperation with all relevant government agencies. Funding for the project was transferred to the IDF in recent weeks."