Victims Sue Iran, Syria, North Korea for Support in Hamas' Attack on Israel

Victims of the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel have filed a lawsuit against Iran, Syria, and North Korea. They claim these countries provided the militants with funds, weapons, and expertise necessary for the assault. The lawsuit, submitted in a New York federal court, seeks at least $4 billion in damages for "a coordination of extrajudicial killings, hostage takings, and related horrors for which the defendants provided material support and resources."

Allegations Against State Sponsors of Terrorism

The United States has labelled Iran, Syria, and North Korea as state sponsors of terrorism. Washington has also designated Hamas as a specially designated global terrorist. Iran's mission to the United Nations declined to comment on the allegations, while Syria and North Korea did not respond. The lawsuit draws on previous court findings, reports from US and other government agencies, and statements by officials from Hamas, Iran, and Syria about their connections.

The complaint highlights that Hamas fighters used North Korean weapons during the October 7 attack. However, it does not provide specific evidence that Tehran, Damascus, or Pyongyang knew about the assault in advance. It accuses these countries of supplying the necessary weapons, technology, and financial support for the attack.

Evidence of Weapon Use

North Korea denies arming Hamas. Nonetheless, a militant video and weapons seized by Israel suggest that Hamas fighters likely used North Korean arms during the attack. South Korean officials, two experts on North Korean arms, and an Associated Press analysis indicate that Hamas used Pyongyang's F-7 rocket-propelled grenade in the assault. The lawsuit specifically cites this weapon as evidence of North Korea's involvement.

Iran has denied prior knowledge of the October 7 attack but praised it afterward. Iran has long armed Hamas as a counter to Israel. Since the collapse of Tehran's 2015 nuclear deal with world powers, Iran and Israel have been engaged in a shadow war. This conflict became more visible after an apparent Israeli attack on Iran's embassy complex in Damascus during the Israel-Hamas war.

Impact on Civilians

Hamas fighters killed around 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducted about 250 during the October 7 attack. Israel responded by invading Gaza. According to the Gaza Health Ministry, more than 37,000 Palestinians have died in the ongoing conflict. The ministry does not specify how many were civilians or fighters.

Syria has relied on Iranian support to keep President Bashar Assad in power amid a civil war that began with the 2011 Arab Spring protests. Like Iran, Syria publicly supported Hamas after the October 7 attack.

Legal Precedents

Under US law, foreign governments can be held liable for deaths or injuries caused by acts of terrorism or by providing material support for them. The Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act of 1976 is frequently used by American plaintiffs to hold foreign governments accountable. For instance, a federal judge ordered North Korea in 2018 to pay $500 million in a wrongful death suit filed by Otto Warmbier's parents.

People previously held as prisoners by Iran have successfully sued Iran in US federal court for money frozen by the US government. If successful in this case, plaintiffs could seek compensation from a fund created by Congress that allows American victims of terrorism to receive payouts from seized assets or fines against those doing business with state sponsors of terrorism.

Growing List of Lawsuits

This new lawsuit joins other Israel-Hamas war-related cases in US courts. Last week, Israelis who were taken hostage or lost loved ones during Hamas' October 7 attack sued the United Nations agency aiding Palestinians. They claimed it financed militants by paying staffers in US dollars funneled through money-changers in Gaza who allegedly gave a cut to Hamas. The agency denied knowingly aiding Hamas or any militant group.

The lawsuit was filed on behalf of over 125 plaintiffs including estates and relatives of those killed or injured physically or emotionally. All plaintiffs are related to or are themselves US citizens.

James Pasch of the Anti-Defamation League stated: "Through this case, we will be able to prove what occurred, who the victims were, who the perpetrators were — and it will not just create a record in real time but for all of history."