Washington – Lawyers representing American victims of the October 2023 Hamas attack on Israel have initiated legal action against several organizations designated as terrorist entities by the U.S. government. The plaintiffs allege these groups played a role in the assault, either by participation, aiding, or providing material support.
The lawsuit was filed in federal court on Thursday and targets Iran, Syria, and North Korea, which are also facing legal challenges linked to the October 7 incident that has triggered ongoing hostilities between Israel and Hamas. Attorneys assert that accountability for the violence must be established in court, particularly to clarify the role of those who aided in planning or executing the attacks.
David and Hazel Brief, parents of a victim, expressed their grief in a statement shared by the Anti-Defamation League, emphasizing the need for justice. “We believe it is critical that those responsible for the horrific terror inflicted that day are held accountable in a court of law,” they stated.
This lawsuit includes more than 140 plaintiffs, who are either American citizens who were killed or injured or their relatives. The total damages sought exceed $7 billion. The Anti-Defamation League reported that the defendants named include not just countries but also groups like the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, Lebanon’s Hezbollah, and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine.
Thus far, Iran, Syria, and North Korea have not responded to a similar lawsuit filed in 2024. The U.S. government has classified these nations as state sponsors of terrorism, alongside the designation of Hamas as a specially designated global terrorist organization.
The lawsuit references findings from a report issued by an Independent International Commission of Inquiry associated with the United Nations Human Rights Council. Under federal law, certain circumstances allow for foreign governments to be held accountable for terrorism-related deaths or injuries or for providing supportive resources.
Should the plaintiffs succeed, they may be eligible for compensatory funds established by Congress that aim to assist American victims of terrorism. These payments derive from assets seized or penalties imposed on entities collaborating with state sponsors of terrorism.
Events surrounding the October 2023 attack were catastrophic, resulting in approximately 1,200 casualties, primarily civilians, and the abduction of 251 individuals. Presently, 48 hostages are believed to remain in Gaza, with around 20 presumed alive following previous hostage releases during ceasefires.
The Palestinian civilian toll has surpassed 65,000, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, which is operated by the Hamas administration. The exact breakdown of civilian versus combatant casualties remains unclear; however, reports indicate that women and children constitute nearly half of the deceased.
Last year, the U.S. Justice Department indicted Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar and other senior militants for conspiring to kill American nationals during the October assault. Sinwar was reported killed by Israeli forces in October 2024. Meanwhile, Hamas maintains that it is engaged in a legitimate struggle for Palestinian rights, asserting it is not at war with the United States.
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