A recently filed lawsuit by American victims of the October 7 Hamas attacks targets Palestinian-American businessman Bashar Masri, alleging he knowingly supported terrorism under the cover of economic development.

According to the complaint, Masri and his affiliated entities collaborated with Hamas in Gaza under the guise of development, building infrastructure—like the Gaza Industrial Estate and Al Mashtal Hotel—allegedly used to conceal tunnels, launch rockets, and house operatives. Masri allegedly deployed international funding to support terrorist operations, and provided operational and logistical support that contributed to the October 7 attacks.

This case is unusual because it targets a U.S. citizen with deep ties to respected U.S. institutions and aid organizations, rather than foreign states or designated terrorist groups.

This case could be a turning point:

-Legally, the U.S. citizenship of the defendant strengthens jurisdiction and causation arguments under ATA/JASTA
-Politically, it challenges the oversight of Western development funding in conflict zones
-Diplomatically, it places pressure on institutions like USAID and DFC—and could impact relations with Qatar, a backer of Masri’s projects

The outcome may reshape how development aid and private sector actors are viewed in conflict regions.

This will be a case to watch closely for its legal implications and its broader global impact.