Man lives in Louisiana linked to Hamas’ Oct 7 Oct 7, 2023, attacks on Israel, we say

Federal prosecutors accused a man in Louisiana of participating in Hamas’ Oct 7 Oct 7, 2023, terrorist attack in Israel, at which time he went to US court documents recently filed.

Mahmoud Amin Ya’qub Al-Muhtadi, 33, is suspected of being part of the National Resistance Brigades, the democratic military wing for the liberation of Palestine, a recurring group that fought alongside Hamas and participated in the 2023 attacks, according to documents.

Al-Muhtadi was charged with providing, attempting to provide or conspiring to provide material support for a terrorist organization and fraud and misuse of visa or other documents. The cases were filed in the United States District Court for the Western District of Louisiana.

Al-Muhtadi is accused of assembling an “armed militant group” to cross into Israel after learning of the Hamas attack, according to court documents. He told one man to ‘bring the guns’ and the other to be ready. He also sent messages asking for ammunition and a bulletproof vest for another man.

Al-Muhtadi’s phone caught a cell tower nearby Kibbutz kfar aza At about 10:01 am on Oct. 7, 2023, the documents say, a few hours after the attack began. Kibbutz Kfar AZA is a few miles from the Gaza border. Sixty people were killed there, and 19 were kidnapped, court documents said. More than 1,200 people in Israel were killed and 250 were taken the next day during the attack. The documents do not accuse Al-Muhtadi of any murders or specific crimes.

Al-Muhtadi is accused of organizing an “armed militant group” to cross into Israel within hours of hearing about the Hamas attack, according to court documents. He told one man to ‘bring the guns’ and the other to be ready. He also sent messages asking for ammunition and a bulletproof vest for another man.

Al-Muhtadi is accused of submitting a US visa application in June 2024, court documents said. In this application, he said that he was not a member or representative of a terrorist organization, that he had no special skills or training, including the use of firearms, and that he had never participated in terrorist activities.

He met with a US Consular official in August and entered the United States through Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport on September 12, 2024, according to the documents. He had been living in Tulsa, Oklahoma, for several months, the documents said. Photos shared by Al-Muhtadi on social media show him with a gun raised in his Tulsa apartment.

In early 2025, the Federal Bureau of Investigation Agents found Al-Muhtadi living in Lafayette, Louisiana, where he worked at a local restaurant.

A person with Al-Muhtadi’s name and date was being held at the St. Martin Parish Correctional Center near Lafayette, according to online records. Booked at this place on Thursday. He made an initial court appearance Friday, according to court records. His online records did not make it clear if he had an attorney.

Federal prosecutors Previously charged with three senior Hamas leaders and the death of at least 43 American citizens on Oct. 7. Those facing charges include the former leader Yahya sinarwho was killed in October 2024.