A The lawsuit, filed in federal court in New York, seeks at least $4 billion (3.7 billion euros) in damages for “a coordinated series of extrajudicial killings, hostage-takings and related horrors for which the defendants provided material support and resources.”
Iran’s mission to the United Nations declined to comment on the allegations, while Syria and North Korea did not respond.
The United States has designated Iran, Syria and North Korea as state sponsors of terrorism.
Since these countries rarely comply with court rulings against them in the United States, if the plaintiffs in the lawsuit are successful, they could seek compensation through a fund created by Congress that allows American victims of terrorism to receive payments.
The money comes from seized assets, fines or other sanctions applied to those who, for example, do business with a state sponsor of terrorism.
The lawsuit is based on previous court findings, reports from U.S. and other government agencies, and statements made over the years by Hamas, Iranian and Syrian officials about their ties. The complaint also points to evidence that Hamas fighters used North Korean weapons in the Oct. 7 attack.
The lawsuit does not provide specific evidence that Tehran, Damascus or Pyongyang knew in advance of the attack, but accuses the three countries of providing the weapons, technology and financial support needed for the attack to take place.
“Through this lawsuit, we will be able to prove what happened, who the victims were, who the perpetrators were — and that will not only create a real-time record, but for all of history,” said one of the lawyers, James Pasch of the Anti-Defamation League, a Jewish advocacy group that has spoken out against anti-Semitism and extremism.
The lawsuit was filed on behalf of more than 125 plaintiffs, including heirs and family members of those who were killed, as well as those who were physically and/or emotionally injured. All are relatives of U.S. citizens or are U.S. citizens themselves.
Hamas fighters killed around 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and kidnapped around 250 during the October 7 attack.
In response, Israel invaded Gaza and more than 37,000 Palestinians have died since then, according to the Hamas-controlled Gaza Health Ministry.
Under U.S. law, foreign governments may be held liable in some circumstances for deaths or injuries caused by acts of terrorism or for providing material support or resources for them.
The new lawsuit joins a growing list of cases related to the war between Israel and Hamas in US courts.
Last week, for example, Israelis who were taken hostage or lost loved ones during the October 7 Hamas attack sued the United Nations agency that supports Palestinian refugees (UNRWA), alleging that it helped fund the militants by paying agency staff in US dollars and then funneling them to money changers in Gaza who allegedly give a cut to Hamas.
UNRWA has denied that it intentionally helps Hamas or any other Islamist group.
Read Also: Hamas hostage Noa Argamani speaks for the first time after being rescued
Download our free App.
Eighth consecutive year Consumer Choice for Online Press and elected product of the year 2024.
* Study by Netsonda, Nov. and Dec. 2023 productoftheyear- pt.com
Source: https://www.noticiasaominuto.com/mundo/2590395/vitimas-do-ataque-de-7-de-outubro-processam-3-paises-por-ajudarem-hamas
