US authorities have arrested a Louisiana resident accused of actively participating in Hamas’s October 7 attack on Israel, charging him with terrorism-related offenses and visa fraud based on recently unsealed court documents.
In a significant development, federal prosecutors have unsealed charges against Mahmoud Amin Ya’qub al-Muhtadi, a 33-year-old permanent resident of Lafayette, Louisiana, alleging his involvement in the deadly Hamas-led assault on Israel two years ago. The complaint, brought by the FBI, accuses al-Muhtadi of providing material support to a foreign terrorist organization by coordinating and joining fighters during the attack that killed approximately 2,000 people and took 251 hostages.
According to the court documents, al-Muhtadi is linked to the National Resistance Brigades, the military wing of the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine, which fought alongside Hamas on October 7, 2023. Evidence indicates that upon learning of the invasion, he armed himself, gathered others, and crossed into Israel with the intention of assisting in the terrorist attack. His mobile phone was tracked via cell tower data to an area near Kibbutz Kfar Aza, one of the sites where militants carried out a brutal massacre.
Intercepted communications and recordings allegedly capture al-Muhtadi discussing the movement of fighters and weapons into Israel. In one instance, he asked an associate to “bring the rifles” and requested a bulletproof vest and ammunition for another individual. Hours after the attack began, his phone pinged in Israel, and he was later recorded celebrating the kidnappings that occurred that morning.
Prosecutors also presented visual evidence, including photographs and videos showing al-Muhtadi in combat gear, carrying weapons, and standing with armed militants, sometimes wearing insignia of the National Resistance Brigades. Social media posts attributed to him praised and justified the violence, with messages celebrating Hamas’s actions in the aftermath of the attack.
Al-Muhtadi’s entry into the United States is under scrutiny, as he allegedly obtained his visa and permanent residency through fraudulent means. Court documents state that he denied any involvement in terrorist activities on his visa application, which allowed him to enter the U.S. in September 2024 and eventually settle in Louisiana, where he worked in a local restaurant.
He was arrested on October 17, 2025, and made an initial court appearance the following day. During the proceeding, through an interpreter, al-Muhtadi asserted his innocence, stating that many of the allegations were false. The Justice Department emphasized that the charges do not accuse him of specific killings but focus on his material support and document fraud.
This case underscores the ongoing efforts by U.S. authorities to hold individuals accountable for involvement in international terrorism, even if they later attempt to integrate into American society. It also highlights the challenges in vetting visa applicants with potential ties to extremist groups. Al-Muhtadi remains in custody as the legal process continues, with potential implications for future prosecutions of similar cases.