Over 500 victims of Oct 7 attack sue Palestinian Authority, Palestinian Liberation Organization for $1.2 billion in damages

Over 500 victims of the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas-led massacre in Israel are seeking NIS 4.5 billion ($1.2 billion) in damages from the Palestinian Authority (PA), the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO), and the former Palestinian Prisoners Affairs Committee head Qadura Fares.

Attorneys Dr. Gideon Fisher, Mordechai Haller, and Shai Rubin filed the lawsuit on behalf of the plaintiffs and their families. All plaintiffs are officially recognized as victims of terrorism who experienced physical or psychological harm due to the Oct. 7 attack and the subsequent Gaza war.

The plaintiffs accuse the defendants of direct and indirect responsibility for the attack and its prior planning.

Ynet News listed some of the plaintiffs. Among them were the Akuni family from Netiv HaAsara - Ruti and Aryeh, along with their daughter Or, who were murdered – the family of Ohad Yahalomi, who was laid to rest on Wednesday, and Yonatan Brosh, who was wounded in his home in Kibbutz Nahal Oz while his wife, Shoshana, was killed before his eyes.

"Our lives were shattered in an instant on October 7," Brosh said. "At 6:50 a.m., terrorists broke into our home, throwing grenades and opening fire as they reached our shelter, which we had believed would protect us. Bullets tore through the door, killing Shoshi and wounding me. I fully support suing those who backed and took part in crimes against innocent civilians.”

Over the past year, the lawsuit was built through the collection of testimonies and the organization of victims at a dedicated center. Research teams in Israel and abroad examined the attack’s planning and funding, drawing on insights from experts in security, medicine, intelligence, and law.

Reportedly, the lawsuit is based on "pioneering research" alleging that the PA, the PLO, and Fares – who managed payments to Nukhba terrorists and their families – were directly involved in planning and funding the Oct. 7 attack.

The lawsuit outlines alleged activities carried out by the PA and PLO between 2018 and 2023, including collaborative training exercises in Gaza involving various terror factions operating under the name "Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigade."

It further asserts that terrorists received training in Palestinian educational institutions run by Hamas and financially supported by the PA.

According to the lawsuit, "The preparations and training for 'Al-Aqsa Flood' (the Palestinian name for the massacre) took place over five years and included multiple large-scale exercises across Gaza involving thousands of terrorists from various terror groups."

The lawsuit states that these operations relied on significant logistical and governmental support from Gaza’s so-called "civilian" offices. It further alleges that "the funding for this support was provided by the defendants – the PA and PLO – through their budget allocations to Gaza’s 'civilian' authorities."

The plaintiffs are requesting a ruling holding the PA, PLO, and Fares directly and indirectly responsible for the massacre. They are seeking NIS 4.491 billion in compensation for victims' families and survivors, along with additional punitive damages intended as a deterrent.

ZAKA search and rescue head Dubi Weissenstern, one of the plaintiffs, said: "Even after more than a year of war, many ZAKA volunteers and I cannot forget the horrors we saw in those first weeks. Despite our experience with disaster sites, the sheer scale, smells and nightmarish scenes deeply affected us and those around us. This lawsuit is the most justified action we can take."

Dr. Gideon Fisher noted that three similar lawsuits have been filed in the U.S. related to the financing of terrorism. He emphasized, “Alongside the military efforts and the hostage rescue mission, we see it as our duty to disrupt the terror pipeline through legal action and secure justice for the victims."