Victims of Hamas attack file $4 billion lawsuit against Syria, North Korea in US. How are these countries involved?

More than 100 victims and relatives of those affected by the October 7 attack by Hamas in Israel have filed a lawsuit in the United States, targeting Iran, Syria, and North Korea. The plaintiffs are seeking 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.”

The lawsuit, filed in federal court in Washington DC, has been initiated by the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) and backed by over 125 plaintiffs, the lawsuit aims to hold Iran, Syria, and North Korea accountable for their alleged roles in the attack.

ADL Chief Executive Jonathan Greenblatt stated, “Iran is the world’s leading state sponsor of antisemitism and terror – along with Syria and North Korea, they must be held responsible for their roles in the largest anti-Semitic attack since the Holocaust."

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The lawsuit accuses Iran, Syria, and North Korea of providing financial, military, and tactical support to Hamas, enabling the attack. The US government has designated these countries as state sponsors of terrorism.

The complaint, drawing on previous court findings and reports from various agencies, suggests that these nations supplied Hamas with weapons, technology, and financial assistance crucial for the assault. Specific evidence includes the use of North Korean F-7 rocket-propelled grenades by Hamas fighters during the attack, reported AP.

What has Iran’s role been in the conflict?

Iran has long been viewed as Hamas’ primary supporter, providing arms and funding to counter Israel, seen as its regional adversary. Following the collapse of the 2015 nuclear deal, Iran has been engaged in a shadow war with Israel, which intensified with recent conflicts, including an attack on Iran’s embassy in Damascus by Israel.

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Iranian officials, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, have praised Hamas for the October 7 assault, though Iran denies prior knowledge of the attack.

How has North Korea supported Hamas?

North Korea’s support for Hamas is deeply rooted in its history of aligning with Palestinian militant groups. This relationship dates back to the 1960s when North Korea began providing financial aid and training to the Palestinian Liberation Organisation (PLO).

High-profile visits by PLO leaders such as Yasser Arafat to Pyongyang cemented this bond, resulting in a steady flow of North Korean weapons to Palestinian factions. Despite a lull after the Cold War, engagement resumed in 2007 when Hamas took control of the Gaza Strip.

North Korea supplied rockets and military communications equipment to Hamas in a secret deal in 2014, underlining a continued commitment to support against Israel.

Recent conflicts have brought North Korea’s involvement back into focus. On January 8, 2024, South Korea’s National Intelligence Service (NIS) confirmed that Hamas has been using North Korean weapons in its conflict with Israel. Evidence includes photos of North Korean F-7 rocket-propelled grenades with Korean inscriptions, seized by the Israel Defence Forces in Gaza.

Despite North Korea’s denial, these findings indicate a substantial military relationship. North Korea’s primary motivation appears financial, driven by the need to fund its weapons programs amid heavy international sanctions. The illicit arms trade with groups like Hamas and nations like Iran is part of North Korea’s broader strategy of undermining US interests while generating revenue.

What is Syria’s relationship with Hamas?

Syria’s relationship with Hamas and the broader Palestinian cause is multifaceted and marked by both cooperation and conflict. Hamas originated from the trans-national Muslim Brotherhood, which opposed the Assad family’s rule in Syria.

In 1982, Syrian troops crushed a Muslim Brotherhood-led revolt in Hama, resulting in significant casualties.

Despite this, Syria positioned itself as a supporter of the Palestinian cause, hosting around half a million Palestinian refugees and Hamas leaders, including Khaled Mashaal. This relationship, however, soured during the Syrian civil war when Hamas refused to support Bashar al-Assad’s regime, leading to Mashaal’s relocation to Qatar.

Despite expressing solidarity with Gaza, Syria’s direct involvement in the recent conflict has been limited. While Syria has supported the Palestinian cause rhetorically and through occasional military actions, such as shelling the Golan Heights, it has refrained from large-scale escalations against Israel.

Nonetheless, Syria’s strategic location and its hosting of Iranian military assets make it a crucial player in the region’s dynamics. Israeli airstrikes on Syrian airports in Damascus and Aleppo aim to disrupt potential arms shipments from Iran to Gaza.

Can the lawsuit succeed?

If successful, the plaintiffs could seek compensation from the US Victims of State Sponsored Terrorism Fund, established in 2015 to provide payouts to individuals with judgments against state sponsors of terrorism. However, the fund has recently run low, prompting legislative efforts to enhance its funding.

The lawsuit seeks $1 billion in compensatory damages and $3 billion in punitive damages. Nahar Neta, whose mother Adrienne Neta was killed in the attack, stated, “While nothing will ever undo the unbearable pain Hamas caused our family or the brutal losses we’ve suffered, we hope this case will bring some sense of justice.”

The lawsuit joins a growing list of legal actions related to the Israel-Hamas conflict in US courts. Past cases have seen judgments against foreign governments, such as the 2018 ruling against North Korea in the wrongful death suit filed by US student Otto Warmbier’s parents, reported AP. Similar suits have been filed against Iran, with American prisoners successfully claiming frozen Iranian assets.

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This lawsuit represents a significant legal development in the aftermath of the Hamas attack. On October 7, Hamas launched an attack in Israel, resulting in over 1,200 deaths and 250 hostages, according to Israeli sources. In response, Israel’s offensive in Gaza has caused nearly 38,000 deaths, as reported by Gazan health officials, and left the enclave in devastation.

With inputs from agencies