Louisiana residents face federal charges for alleged Hamas ties

Federal authorities in Louisiana have arrested several individuals in connection with activities supporting Hamas. Mahmoud Amin Ya’qub Al-Muhtadi, a 33-year-old Gaza native, was taken into custody in Lafayette. Prosecutors allege Al-Muhtadi was an operative for the National Resistance Brigades and participated in the October 7, 2023, attacks by recruiting fighters and crossing into Israel. He is charged with providing material support to a foreign terrorist organization and visa fraud after allegedly lying on his application to enter the U.S. in 2024.

In a separate but related development, Louisiana brothers Abdel and Omar Adhami face terrorism charges for their alleged involvement in a $1.7 million fundraising scheme. Prosecutors claim the brothers used social media to solicit donations under the guise of providing humanitarian aid to Gaza, while actually funneling funds to Hamas members. The scheme was reportedly exposed following an undercover operation by the NYPD involving a contact linked to the group.