Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, is facing a staggering $1.17 billion lawsuit in Israel over its alleged role in enabling the October 7 Hamas attack to be livestreamed on its platforms. Survivors and relatives of victims claim that Meta’s social media sites became a tool for terrorists to broadcast their brutal actions, deepening the trauma of those affected.
The legal action was filed in the Tel Aviv District Court and seeks nearly 4 billion shekels in damages. Plaintiffs are demanding compensation both for the victims whose suffering was shown online and for the Israeli public who were exposed to the violent footage. According to the lawsuit, Meta failed to act swiftly to remove videos showing killings, kidnappings, and other atrocities, allowing them to remain accessible for hours or even days.
One of the most heartbreaking accounts comes from the Idan family. Hamas militants reportedly stormed their home during the attack, holding family members hostage and killing their eldest daughter, Maayan. The mother’s Facebook account was used to livestream the horrific scene. The father, Tsachi, was kidnapped and later killed in Gaza. The family’s ordeal was broadcast to thousands, amplifying their pain and anguish.
Other plaintiffs include members of the public who say they were traumatized simply by opening Facebook or Instagram on that day, encountering graphic and violent content without warning or protection. The lawsuit accuses Meta of effectively becoming part of Hamas’s “terror infrastructure” by failing to block the harmful material quickly enough.
In addition to charges of negligence, Meta is also accused of violating the privacy and dignity of victims and profiting from the viral spread of terror content through its algorithms. Critics argue the company did not have adequate rapid response systems in place to combat the real-time dissemination of violent videos during the attack.
A spokesperson for Meta expressed condolences to those affected and highlighted the company’s ongoing efforts to remove content supporting or glorifying Hamas. They stated that teams work around the clock to monitor and take down inappropriate posts. However, many believe these measures were too little, too late.
This lawsuit is part of a growing trend of legal challenges aimed at holding various parties accountable for supporting or enabling Hamas. Recently, families of victims also sued the Palestinian Authority, condemning its policy of providing financial aid to convicted attackers and their families, which they say fuels terrorism.
