Oct 7 victims, families sue Hamas for $1 billion in Jerusalem court

The claims were filed by attorney David Simana under Israel’s Terror Victims Compensation Law, which took effect in 2024 and allows for punitive damages against perpetrators of terrorism and those deemed responsible for such acts.

By Vered Weiss, World Israel News

The Jerusalem District Court on Sunday ordered Hamas to pay nearly 1 billion shekels in damages to victims of the October 7 terror attack, issuing a default judgment after the organization failed to respond to the lawsuit, Ynet reports.

Judge Eran Shila granted the ruling at the request of hundreds of plaintiffs, including survivors of the attack and relatives of those killed, after Hamas did not submit a statement of defense.

The claims were filed by attorney David Simana under Israel’s Terror Victims Compensation Law, which took effect in 2024 and allows for punitive damages against perpetrators of terrorism and those deemed responsible for such acts.

According to the court decision, the compensation award applies solely to Hamas. Parallel legal proceedings against the Palestinian Authority remain ongoing after it filed a defense, and the current ruling does not address that case.

The plaintiffs argued they were directly harmed in the October 7, 2023 attack or are heirs and dependents of those who were killed.

Most of those involved live in kibbutzim and communities near the Gaza border. Court filings stated that all plaintiffs suffered physical injuries, psychological trauma, or both as a result of the assault.

Under the Terror Victims Compensation Law, heirs of those killed in a terror attack are eligible for punitive damages of 10 million shekels per victim. Survivors who sustained permanent disabilities may receive 5 million shekels each.

The law is designed to impose financial liability on terrorist organizations and entities that support or reward acts of terror, regardless of the challenges involved in enforcing judgments.

Simana welcomed the ruling, saying: “I welcome the court’s decision, which gives justice to the victims and their families.” He acknowledged the obstacles involved in collecting damages from Hamas but said his legal team would pursue all available avenues, emphasizing that the decision represents only part of the broader legal effort, Ynet reports.

Looking ahead to the separate case against the Palestinian Authority, Simana added: “I hope that in the proceedings against the Palestinian Authority, after more than 5 billion shekels have already been seized for the benefit of about 2,000 of our clients, the court will accept our arguments, recognize the Palestinian Authority’s responsibility for the events of October 7, and order it to compensate the victims.”

He said his team would continue pursuing claims on behalf of victims in Israel and the United States as part of an ongoing effort to secure accountability and compensation.