The government of Argentina formalized its position regarding Hamas by including the group in the Public Registry of Persons and Entities Linked to Acts of Terrorism and Its Financing (Repet), following a statement released at midnight on Friday, July 12.

According to the statement, President Javier Milei “is committed to recognizing terrorists for what they are” and highlighted that Hamas claimed responsibility for the attacks carried out on October 7, 2023, in southern Israel. The announcement comes amid pressure from the Islamist group, which has demanded that the Argentina government retract the designation. 

With this action, Argentina, home to the largest Jewish community in Latin America with nearly 300,000 people according to the Joint Distribution Committee, aligns itself with the United States, the European Union, Canada, and the United Kingdom, all of which also recognize Hamas as a terrorist organization. 

The statement emphasizes that “Hamas has claimed responsibility for the atrocities committed during the attack on Israel on October 7, which are part of a long history of terrorist acts carried out in its name.” 

Thank you, Argentina, thank you, President Javier Milei @JMilei, for designating Hamas as a terrorist organization. pic.twitter.com/cw2OGBzbsM

— Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) July 21, 2024

What are the current numbers?

The October 2023 attack left 1,200 people dead and 250 kidnapped in Israel, marking the largest number of Jewish casualties since the Holocaust.

This led to a major military response by Israel in the Gaza Strip, which has now reported over 38,000 deaths according to Gaza’s Ministry of Health, while the conflict continues and efforts to free hostages still held by Hamas, including children and women, remain ongoing. So far, 43 of the original hostages have been confirmed dead. 

The announcement by the Argentina government triggered an immediate response from Hamas, accusing Milei’s administration of showing a “blatant bias” and justifying Israel’s “acts of genocide” in Gaza.  

Argentina’s decision was described by the Islamist group as “unjust and one-sided,” and it urged the South American country to refrain from siding with the “criminal narrative of the Zionist occupation,” calling on it to stand “on the side of justice and the right of peoples to freedom and self-determination.”

With this measure, Argentina officially reaffirms its support for Israel and strengthens its stance against groups deemed terrorist, highlighting the importance of aligning with international allies and protecting its Jewish community, while facing criticism and pressure from Hamas and other regional actors.