FBI Arrests Louisiana Resident for Participating in Hamas October 7 Attack and Committing Visa Fraud

Al-Muhtadi resided in Tulsa until May before moving to Lafayette by early June.

New Orleans:

The FBI has charged a Louisiana resident with participating in the Hamas-orchestrated attack against Israel on October 7, 2023, subsequently falsifying information about his background and fraudulently securing a visa to reside in the United States.

According to an FBI criminal complaint released this week, Mahmoud Amin Ya'qub Al-Muhtadi armed himself and assembled a group to infiltrate southern Israel from the Gaza Strip during the assault that resulted in over 1,200 fatalities.

During the incursion, Hamas militants also abducted more than 250 individuals, including numerous American citizens. This week, Hamas released the final 20 surviving hostages following an agreement between both parties to implement a fragile ceasefire in the Palestinian territory.

The complaint, prepared by FBI Supervisory Special Agent Alexandria M. Thoman O'Donnell and presented to a federal judge on October 6, states that Al-Muhtadi operated as a member of the Gaza-based military division of the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine. O'Donnell serves on a task force investigating the murder and kidnapping of American citizens during the attack two years ago.

On his U.S. visa application, Al-Muhtadi denied any involvement in terrorist activities and became a legal permanent resident in 2024, according to the complaint.

The document indicates he could face charges for visa fraud and conspiracy to provide support to a foreign terrorist organization. The Justice Department confirmed Al-Muhtadi was arrested on Thursday.

Attorney General Pam Bondi affirmed that the Justice Department remains "dedicated to finding and prosecuting those responsible for that horrific day, including the murder of dozens of American citizens."

"We will continue to stand by Jewish Americans and Jewish people around the world against anti-Semitism and terrorism in all its forms," Bondi stated.

Detention records reveal that an individual matching Al-Muhtadi's name and age is currently held at St. Martin Parish Correctional Center, near Lafayette. His federal court appearance was scheduled for Friday morning.

No legal representation for Al-Muhtadi was identified in court documents. The FBI declined to provide additional information to The Associated Press, citing the government shutdown.

"Justice will be served," Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry declared in an X post. He suggested that Al-Muhtadi might be transferred to the recently established immigration detention wing of the state's maximum security prison, known as "Louisiana Lockup": "Perhaps this is Louisiana Lockup's newest resident?"

According to the FBI, Al-Muhtadi's social media and email accounts revealed a long-term association with a Hamas-aligned paramilitary group, including participation in firearms training.

On the morning of October 7, 2023, following Hamas's attack on Israel, then-military commander of Hamas, Mohammed Deif, called for "the masses" to join the offensive.

The FBI reports that Al-Muhtadi instructed his associates to "get ready" and "bring the rifles," adding that "there is kidnapping, and it's a game, which will be a good one." He also requested ammunition from an associate.

The FBI alleges that Al-Muhtadi organized an armed group to enter Israel, and during the attack, his phone connected to a cell tower near Kfar Aza, an Israeli village where dozens of residents were killed and approximately 19 abducted.

In June 2024, Al-Muhtadi submitted an electronic U.S. visa application in Cairo. On the application, he denied membership in any paramilitary organization or engagement in terrorist activities. He stated his intention to live in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and work in "car repairs or food services." He entered the United States in September 2024.

The FBI states that Al-Muhtadi lived in Tulsa through May but relocated to Lafayette by early June, where he worked at a local restaurant.

An unidentified FBI agent met with Al-Muhtadi repeatedly in Lafayette from July to September this year.

An associate advised Al-Muhtadi against contacting anyone from the paramilitary group, warning that he was under surveillance in the U.S., and cautioned him to avoid posting support for Hamas on social media. According to the FBI, Al-Muhtadi responded that he could post whatever he wanted, including pictures of Hamas leaders, and he would remain safe.