A Louisiana resident, Mahmoud Amin Ya’qub al-Muhtadi, has been formally accused by the FBI of actively participating in the Hamas-led assault on Israel on 7 October 2023. Following his alleged involvement, al-Muhtadi is further charged with fraudulently obtaining a visa to reside in the United States by deliberately misrepresenting his past activities.

According to a recently unsealed FBI criminal complaint, al-Muhtadi, an operative of the Gaza-based military wing of the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine (DFLP), armed himself and organized a group to cross from the Gaza Strip into southern Israel. This attack resulted in the deaths of nearly 1,200 individuals and the kidnapping of over 250 people, including dozens of US citizens. The complaint, prepared by FBI supervisory special agent Alexandria M Thoman O’Donnell, who is part of a taskforce investigating the murders and kidnappings of American citizens during the 7 October events, states that on 13 October, Hamas released the 20 remaining living hostages after a tenuous ceasefire agreement in the Palestinian territory.

Al-Muhtadi’s alleged involvement in the attack is detailed through evidence from his social media and email accounts, which revealed a years-long affiliation with a Hamas-aligned paramilitary group. This affiliation included participation in firearms training. On the morning of 7 October 2023, after Hamas initiated its assault, Mohammed Deif, the then-military commander of Hamas, called for "the masses" to join. The FBI complaint alleges that al-Muhtadi "was among those who answered Hamas’s call to arms" after being alerted to the attack via social media at 6:34 AM. Intercepted phone calls reviewed by the FBI show al-Muhtadi instructing associates to "get ready," "bring the rifles," and mentioning that "there is kidnapping, and it’s a game, which will be a good one." He also requested an associate to bring ammunition, and the FBI asserts he coordinated an armed group to travel into Israel. During the attack, his phone reportedly pinged a cell tower near Kfar Aza, an Israeli village where dozens were killed and approximately 19 kidnapped.

Regarding the visa fraud charges, al-Muhtadi submitted an electronic US visa application in Cairo in June 2024. In this application, he explicitly denied any involvement in paramilitary organizations or terrorist activities. His application indicated an intention to live in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and work in "car repairs or food services." He successfully entered the US in September 2024 and became a legal permanent resident. He resided in Tulsa through May but by early June had relocated to Lafayette, Louisiana, where he was employed at a local restaurant.

His presence in the US was uncovered by the Joint Task Force October 7, an initiative launched in March this year. The investigation was conducted by members of this taskforce and the FBI in New Orleans, with significant assistance from seven Israeli security organizations, including Lahav 433. An unidentified FBI agent reportedly met with al-Muhtadi repeatedly in Lafayette from July to September of the current year. During this period, an associate advised al-Muhtadi against contacting anyone from the paramilitary group and posting pro-Hamas content on social media, citing surveillance in the US. Al-Muhtadi allegedly responded that he could post whatever he wished, including pictures of Hamas leaders, and remain safe.

The US attorney general, Pam Bondi, commented on the case, stating, "After hiding out in the United States, this monster has been found and charged with participating in the atrocities of October 7 – the single deadliest day for Jewish people since the Holocaust." The agent requested an arrest warrant for al-Muhtadi on 6 October, though the precise time and location of his apprehension were not specified. Inmate records indicate a person matching his name and age is currently held at the correctional center in St Martin parish, Louisiana, near Lafayette. He was scheduled to appear in federal court on Friday. Al-Muhtadi faces potential charges for visa fraud and for conspiring to provide support for a foreign terrorist organization.