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The FBI has arrested a Palestinian national living in Louisiana who allegedly took part in Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel.
Mahmoud Amin Ya-qub Al-Muhtadi, a resident of Lafayette, Louisiana, is accused of violating terrorism laws by helping or attempting to help a foreign terrorist organization through his alleged involvement in the Hamas-led attack on Israel, according to an affidavit. He is also accused of fraud and misuse of visas, permits and other documents.
Al-Muhtadi, is accused of being a member of Hamas and the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine’s armed wing, the National Resistance Brigades (NRB), and commanding or coordinating NRB fighters who joined Hamas units for the incursion, the affidavit reads.
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“Evidence shows that on the morning of October 7, 2023, Al-Muhtadi learned about the Hamas invasion, armed himself, gathered others and crossed into Israel with the intention of assisting in Hamas’s terrorist attack,” the affidavit says.
Cell tower data placed his phone inside Israel near Kibbutz Kfar Aza, one of the sites where Hamas and its supporters carried out a brutal massacre.
He was also captured in multiple intercepted calls and recordings talking about moving fighters and arms into Israel and was recorded celebrating the kidnappings that had occurred that morning.
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Evidence also allegedly showed him in photographs and videos taken around the time of the attack in combat gear, carrying weapons and standing with armed militants, sometimes wearing NRB insignia and Hamas-style headbands. He also praised and justified the violence on social media and in messages after the fact, including posts celebrating Hamas’s actions.
Almost immediately after Hamas’s attack began, at 6:34 a.m., Al-Muhtadi received a social media message from an individual that read, “I see war,” according to court documents.
Two minutes later, that same individual added, “Hell opened its gates. It is very chaotic, and there will be no end, this time. It will end in a good way,” prosecutors said.
Then, about an hour later, Al-Muhtadi received another update from the same individual, reading, “Hilux trucks [vehicles used by Hamas attackers] inside the settlements [Israel].”
Prosecutors said Al-Muhtadi was sent a video minutes later depicting what appeared to be a Hamas paraglider flying towards Israel.
As well as the terror charges, Al-Muhtad is also accused of lying on his U.S. visa application to conceal his ties to terrorist groups.
Al-Muhtadi was issued a green card in 2024 via the U.S. embassy in Cairo and stated on his application form that he intended to live in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and work in “car repairs or food services.”
According to Customs and Border Protection records, Al-Muhtadi entered the United States on Sept. 12, 2024, via Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, per the affidavit.
“As a result of that false application, Al-Muhtadi was able to obtain permission to travel to the United States and obtain Legal Permanent Resident status. Al-Muhtadi is currently residing and working in Lafeyette, Louisiana,” the affidavit reads.
Al-Muhtadi is expected to make an initial court appearance on Friday morning, according to The New York Times.
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