October 7 Victims Sue Palestinian American Billionaire Over Alleged Hamas Support

Latest Developments

‘Aided and Abetted Hamas’: Families of victims of Hamas’s October 7, 2023 mass assault in Israel have filed a lawsuit against Palestinian American real estate developer Bashar al-Masri, claiming that his projects support the Iran-backed terrorist group’s operations in the Gaza Strip. The lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court in Washington, DC, on behalf of around 200 American victims of the October 7 atrocities and their families. The group includes the Israeli ambassador to the United States Yechiel Leiter, whose son was killed in Gaza in November 2023 while serving with the IDF; the families of slain hostages Hersh Goldberg-Polin and Itay Chen; and Israeli billionaire Eyal Waldman, a former business partner of Masri’s whose youngest daughter was murdered at the Nova dance music party. Lead attorney Lee Wolosky said the goal of the lawsuit was to “expose those who have aided and abetted Hamas” to present “a legitimate and moderate image to the Western world.”
Hamas’s Terror Network Used Masri’s Properties: While the lawsuit did not claim Masri had prior knowledge of the October 7 mass assault, it alleges he knew that his properties supported Hamas’s terror infrastructure. The lawsuit stated that Hamas built a massive network under Masri’s Gaza Industrial Estate and siphoned electricity from it. The estate sits across the border from Kibbutz Nahal Oz. Hamas also installed an anti-tank battery on the estate’s water tower. The plaintiffs additionally claimed that Hamas leaders, including Yahya Sinwar, extensively utilized Masri’s two hotels to host events. Guest rooms, tunnel shafts, and other facilities at the hotels were allegedly connected to Hamas’s tunnel network and a training base.
Masri Advised Former U.S. Hostage Envoy: Masri denied the charges, claiming that he “was shocked to learn through the media that a baseless complaint was filed” against him. Masri, a U.S. citizen who was born in the West Bank city of Nablus and was imprisoned by Israel during the First Intifada of 1987-92, is reportedly a close associate of former U.S. hostage envoy Adam Boehler.

FDD Expert Response

“In Gaza, Hamas has adopted a strategy that imitates Hezbollah in Lebanon — deeply embedding its operatives across various sectors of daily life. Its members often assume civilian roles or exploit public infrastructure to further the group’s Islamist agenda. For instance, terrorists might pose as journalists to disseminate propaganda or align with property developers to conceal military assets. These tactics, while alarming, are consistent with Hamas’s established pattern of behavior and should not come as a surprise.” — Joe Truzman, Senior Research Analyst and Editor at FDD’s Long War Journal

“Hamas digging tunnels was an open secret in Gaza that everybody knew. Tunnel shafts go through schools, hospitals, and children’s bedrooms. This lawsuit will test the culpability of those who allowed Hamas to build underneath them and use their facilities unchecked. Hamas’s alleged use of Masri’s property was particularly devastating, as it sits just over one mile from Kibbutz Nahal Oz, one of the Israeli communities hardest hit by the Hamas atrocities.” — David May, Research Manager and Senior Research Analyst