On Monday, American families of victims from the October 7, 2023, attacks in Israel initiated a lawsuit against Bashar Masri, a well-known Palestinian-American businessman. They allege that he played a role in developing infrastructure that enabled Hamas militants to execute their cross-border assault.
This lawsuit, submitted to the U.S. District Court for Washington, D.C., is believed to be the first instance where a U.S. citizen is accused of providing significant support for the attacks that ignited a broader conflict in the Middle East and disrupted the region’s stability.
Masri’s representatives have dismissed the lawsuit as “baseless.”
In the announcement regarding the lawsuit, it was stated that properties owned, developed, and managed by Masri, which include two luxury hotels and the prominent Gaza Industrial Estate, “harbored concealed tunnels beneath them, with tunnel entrances accessible from within the properties, which Hamas utilized for terrorist activities before, during, and after October 7th.”
The statement further claimed, “The defendants facilitated the construction and concealment of these tunnels and even erected above-ground solar panel systems that were subsequently used to provide electricity to the tunnels for Hamas.”
The attacks on October 7 resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 Israelis, including over 40 Americans, and led to Israeli military actions in Gaza that have reportedly claimed the lives of more than 50,000 Palestinians.
The lawsuit, which names Masri and his businesses as defendants, represents nearly 200 American plaintiffs, including survivors and family members of the victims.
“Our aim is to uncover those who have supported and enabled Hamas and to hold accountable individuals and companies that have portrayed a legitimate and moderate image to the Western world while actively and knowingly assisting Hamas,” stated Lee Wolosky, the lead attorney from Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP representing the plaintiffs.
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GIE was initially founded with the assistance of U.S. taxpayer funds through the U.S. Agency for International Development, aimed at fostering economic development in the area.
It was noted that “due to the defendants’ deceit,” Hamas’ tunnel infrastructure was constructed with support from infrastructure and energy initiatives funded by international organizations, including the International Finance Corporation of the World Bank.
A statement from Masri’s office labeled the accusations against him and his businesses as untrue, asserting that he would pursue their dismissal in court. It emphasized that Masri has dedicated decades to development and humanitarian efforts and “strongly opposes any form of violence.”
The statement further clarified, “Neither he nor his organizations have participated in illegal activities or provided assistance to violence and militancy.”
A March 10 article in the Jerusalem Post referenced unnamed diplomatic sources indicating that Masri had acted as a close advisor to Adam Boehler, the U.S. President Donald Trump’s envoy tasked with negotiating the release of hostages in Gaza, and had traveled on Boehler’s private jet during his regional visits.
Masri was described as “a seasoned entrepreneur” who “aligns with Trump’s business-oriented approach, making him a suitable candidate for the administration’s economic strategy in the region.”
The State Department and the White House did not provide immediate comments when approached regarding the newspaper article.
In an interview with Reuters in October 2020, at the age of 59, Masri expressed support for Gulf Arab relations with Israel, a stance criticized by Palestinian leaders, suggesting that such ties could create new pressure to stop Jewish settlements in occupied territories.
During the same interview, Masri urged Palestinians to maintain their hope. “Our adversaries want us to lose hope. If we surrender that hope, they achieve their goal, and there will be no Palestine, nor a Palestinian identity,” he stated.
