The Federal Bureau of Investigation has arrested Mahmoud Amin Ya’qub Al-Muhtadi, a resident of Louisiana, for allegedly participating in the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led assault on Israel and subsequently lying on his U.S. visa application to conceal his involvement in terrorist activities. According to a criminal complaint unsealed this week, Al-Muhtadi took part in the coordinated attack that resulted in the deaths of more than 1,200 people and the abduction of over 250 hostages, including several American citizens. The FBI claims that Al-Muhtadi, along with a group of armed men, crossed from the Gaza Strip into southern Israel during the raid, which was one of the deadliest assaults in Israel’s history.
The complaint, filed by FBI Supervisory Special Agent Alexandria M. Thoman O’Donnell, identifies Al-Muhtadi as an operative of the Gaza-based military wing of the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine (DFLP). O’Donnell is part of a special task force investigating the murder and kidnapping of U.S. citizens in connection with the October 7 attacks. Despite his past militant ties, Al-Muhtadi managed to secure permanent residency in the United States in 2024 by denying any association with terrorist groups on his visa application submitted in Cairo.
Federal authorities have charged Al-Muhtadi with visa fraud and conspiracy to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization. He was taken into custody on Thursday, as confirmed by the U.S. Department of Justice. Attorney General Pam Bondi stated that the government remains committed to holding accountable those involved in the massacre, particularly those responsible for the killing of American citizens. She emphasized that the Justice Department “will continue to stand with Jewish Americans and the global Jewish community against anti-Semitism and terrorism in all its forms.”
Inmate records confirm that an individual matching Al-Muhtadi’s name and age is currently detained at the St. Martin Parish Correctional Center near Lafayette, Louisiana. He was scheduled to appear before a federal court on Friday morning. While no attorney has been listed for him, Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry posted on X that Al-Muhtadi may be transferred to the newly opened immigration detention wing at the state’s high-security facility known as “Louisiana Lockup,” suggesting that the accused could soon become “Louisiana Lockup’s newest resident.”
FBI investigations revealed that Al-Muhtadi’s online activity, including social media and email records, demonstrated a long-term connection to Hamas-affiliated militant groups. He reportedly received paramilitary training, including weapons handling, and maintained communication with fellow operatives. According to intercepted communications reviewed by the FBI, on the morning of October 7, 2023, Al-Muhtadi instructed his associates to “get ready” and “bring the rifles,” describing the impending kidnapping operations as a “game” that would “be a good one.” Cell tower data placed his phone near Kfar Aza, a village in southern Israel, where many civilians were killed and nearly 20 residents were abducted during the assault.
After the attack, Al-Muhtadi applied for a U.S. visa in June 2024, claiming he had no history of military involvement or terrorist activity and expressing plans to move to Tulsa, Oklahoma, to work in car repair or the food service industry. He entered the United States in September 2024, initially settling in Tulsa before relocating to Lafayette, Louisiana, where he began working at a restaurant. Between July and September 2025, FBI agents held several meetings with him as part of an ongoing surveillance operation.
An acquaintance reportedly warned Al-Muhtadi that U.S. authorities were monitoring him and advised against maintaining contact with his former militant network or posting pro-Hamas content online. In defiance, Al-Muhtadi allegedly responded that he could “post whatever he wanted,” including images of Hamas leaders, and that he would remain “safe.” The FBI has since stated that their investigation into Al-Muhtadi’s potential connections to international terrorist organizations and his activities within the United States remains active and ongoing.
