Families of American victims of the Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas-led attack in Israel have filed a federal lawsuit against Iran and several affiliated terror groups, accusing them of funding and orchestrating the deadly assault. The suit, filed in U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C., alleges Tehran funneled millions of dollars to Hamas to carry out what plaintiffs call “the deadliest single massacre of Jews since the Holocaust.”
The legal complaint relies on evidence, including secret documents and reports, that reveal financial and military support provided by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps to Hamas and other militant groups.
One document outlines a $7 million monthly funding request from Hamas to Iran to prepare for “the big project,” later revealed as the Oct. 7 attack.
The attack, which killed over 1,200 people, including 46 Americans, also resulted in 250 hostages being taken, among them 12 U.S. citizens.
While the lawsuit targets Iran, Hamas, Hezbollah, Palestinian Islamic Jihad and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, it notably omits Qatar and Turkey despite reports of their financial contributions to Hamas.
Among the 37 families involved in the lawsuit is Yechiel Leiter, father of fallen Israeli soldier Moshe Leiter, who was killed in Gaza in November 2023. Leiter, who is set to become Israel’s ambassador to the United States, expressed a desire for accountability for those responsible for enabling the attack.
Legal documents also outline a defense pact between Hamas, Hezbollah and other Iran-backed proxies, which reportedly ensured military coordination during the Oct. 7 assault. In response to the attack, Hezbollah launched near-daily strikes in northern Israel, forcing the evacuation of over 60,000 residents.
The families are seeking financial damages under the U.S. Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act and Anti-Terrorism Act. Previous lawsuits against Iran have sought billions in damages for its alleged role in supporting Hamas and facilitating attacks against Israeli and American citizens.
