Federal prosecutors have charged a Louisiana resident, Mahmoud Amin Ya’qub al-Muhtadi, with participating in the Hamas-led attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, and subsequently entering the United States on a fraudulent visa. The case, detailed in a criminal complaint unsealed this week, has sent ripples through both national security and immigration circles, highlighting the ongoing complexities of vetting individuals with possible ties to foreign militant organizations.
According to the Associated Press, the FBI alleges that al-Muhtadi, 33, played an active role in the deadly assault that left more than 1,200 people dead, including American citizens, and saw over 250 hostages taken into Gaza. Al-Muhtadi is accused of being an operative for the National Resistance Brigades, the militant wing of the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine (DFLP), which fought alongside Hamas during the attack. The complaint, signed by FBI Supervisory Special Agent Alexandria M. Thoman O’Donnell, describes how al-Muhtadi armed himself, gathered others, and crossed into Israel on the morning of October 7, 2023, with the intent to assist in the attack.
As reported by Fox News, evidence collected by investigators paints a vivid picture of al-Muhtadi’s involvement. Cell tower data placed his phone inside Israel near Kibbutz Kfar Aza, one of the communities devastated by the assault, where more than 60 civilians were killed. The FBI intercepted calls and messages in which al-Muhtadi coordinated with other fighters, instructing them to "get ready," "bring the rifles," and even asking for a bulletproof vest. In one chilling exchange, he reportedly told associates, "there is kidnapping, and it's a game, which will be a good one." Prosecutors also allege that al-Muhtadi was recorded celebrating the kidnappings and violence that unfolded that day.
The New York Times details that al-Muhtadi was photographed and filmed around the time of the attack in combat gear, carrying weapons, and wearing insignia associated with both the NRB and Hamas. Social media posts and messages reviewed by federal agents revealed him praising and justifying the violence, including posts celebrating Hamas’s actions. Despite the gravity of the accusations, al-Muhtadi has denied the charges, telling a federal magistrate through an interpreter, "yes, but there are a lot of things mentioned here that are so false. I’m innocent."
Following the attack, al-Muhtadi applied for a U.S. immigrant visa at the embassy in Cairo. According to the criminal complaint, he used the name Mahmoud Almuhtadi and denied any involvement with militant groups or terrorist activity. The application stated he was born in Gaza and lived there until March 2024. He indicated that he intended to reside in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and work in car repairs or food services. He was approved for legal permanent resident status and entered the United States through Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport on September 12, 2024.
Once in the U.S., al-Muhtadi lived in Tulsa until May 2025, before relocating to Lafayette, Louisiana, where he appeared to be working at a local restaurant. FBI agents discovered photos on his social media accounts showing him posing with a Glock handgun, sometimes alongside his children, and images of him in tactical gear and with rifles, further corroborating his alleged paramilitary background. From July to September 2025, an FBI agent met with al-Muhtadi multiple times in Lafayette, with one associate reportedly advising him to avoid posting in support of Hamas on social media due to surveillance. Al-Muhtadi, undeterred, is said to have responded that he could "post whatever he wanted, including pictures of Hamas leaders," and that he would be safe.
Al-Muhtadi’s arrest came on Thursday, October 16, 2025, and he was held at St. Martin Parish Correctional Center near Lafayette. The following morning, he appeared in federal court before Magistrate Judge David J. Ayo, flanked by U.S. Marshals. During the lengthy hearing, conducted with the aid of an interpreter, al-Muhtadi was assigned a public defender and ordered to remain in custody until his next hearing, scheduled for the following Wednesday.
The charges against al-Muhtadi include providing material support to a foreign terrorist organization and visa fraud, offenses that carry significant penalties if proven in court. The case is part of a broader Justice Department task force, launched in March 2025, aimed at identifying and prosecuting individuals connected to the October 7, 2023, massacre. The task force, as described by the Daily Caller News Foundation, was established to pursue accountability for those responsible for the attack, including the murder and kidnapping of American citizens.
Attorney General Pam Bondi, quoted by the Associated Press, emphasized the federal government’s commitment to justice: "We will continue to stand by Jewish Americans and Jewish people around the world against anti-Semitism and terrorism in all its forms." Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry also weighed in, posting on X (formerly Twitter), "Justice will be served," and suggesting that al-Muhtadi might become the newest resident of the state’s maximum security "Louisiana Lockup" facility.
While al-Muhtadi has not been accused of personally killing anyone during the attack, federal prosecutors have presented evidence of his leadership and organizational role within the NRB and his direct involvement in the events of October 7. The complaint cites Israeli intelligence and digital evidence, including photos and communications, as proof of his affiliation with the group.
This case marks one of the first times a lower-ranking fighter allegedly involved in the October 7 assault has faced charges in a U.S. court. Previously, federal prosecutors had charged several senior Hamas members in connection with the attack. The proceedings have drawn attention not only for their implications in the fight against international terrorism but also for the scrutiny they bring to the U.S. immigration system and its vulnerabilities.
As the legal process unfolds, questions remain about how al-Muhtadi was able to obtain a U.S. visa despite his alleged militant background and what safeguards might be necessary to prevent similar incidents in the future. The Justice Department’s task force is expected to continue its work, reviewing cases and evidence related to the attack, while the prosecution of al-Muhtadi moves forward in Louisiana federal court. The story is far from over, but for now, the case stands as a stark reminder of the global reach of terrorism and the challenges of ensuring security at home.
