Court Awards NIS 3.35 Billion to Terror Victims in Cases Against Hamas

A series of rulings against the terrorist organization Hamas was issued by the Jerusalem District Court in recent days in civil lawsuits filed by terror victims and their families through the law firm Erbus, Kedem, Tzur.

The total compensation awarded amounts to NIS 3,351,523,862, and includes compensation for 516 terror victims, among them 78 murder victims and 438 wounded, who were harmed in the deadly October 7 terror attack and in additional terror attacks carried out by Hamas terrorists over the years.

The lawsuits were filed against Hamas and the Palestinian Authority, on the claim that they bear direct and indirect responsibility for the acts of terror. While rulings have already been issued with respect to Hamas, the legal proceedings against the Palestinian Authority are still ongoing in court.

Representatives of the victims are expected soon to seek enforcement of the rulings through Hamas assets and funds that were seized and forfeited by the State of Israel, in order to transfer them to the terror victims and their families.

The lawsuits stated that Hamas “initiated, planned and carried out the horrific massacre on 7.10.23,” and that the organization is responsible for a series of murderous terror attacks that took the lives of Israeli civilians and soldiers.

Attorney Barak Kedem, from the Erbus Kedem Tzur firm, which represented the plaintiffs, said: “The rulings issued in the past month are a significant step in the legal battle against terror. Alongside recognition of the suffering of the victims and their families, there is also a clear message here from the Israeli legal system that terrorist organizations and those who support them will bear responsibility for their actions. We will now use every legal tool at our disposal to ensure that the funds seized and forfeited from Hamas reach the terror victims and the bereaved families, and do not remain only on paper.”

He added, “The legal battle does not end with Hamas. The lawsuits against the Palestinian Authority are still ongoing, and we will continue to act until those who are responsible for financing, encouraging and rewarding terror also bear financial responsibility for their actions.”