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The FBI has arrested a suspect 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 Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack on Israel, according to an affidavit. He is also accused of fraud and misuse of visa, permits and other documents.
Al-Muhtadi is accused of being a member of Hamas and the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine’s (DFLP) 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,” per the affidavit.
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 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 and referencing the “liberation of occupied land.”
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.”
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.”
Then, about an hour later, Al-Muhtadi got another update, from the same individual reading, “Hilux trucks [vehicles used by Hamas attackers] inside the settlements [Israel].” Minutes later, Al-Muhtadi was sent a video 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.
“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.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
Read the full article here
