US Charges Four Over Alleged Hamas Financing Network

WASHINGTON, October 2, 2026: The U.S. Justice Department has unsealed an indictment against Saleem Alzaq and announced the arrests of three others over their alleged involvement in a Hamas financing network.

Omar Adhami, Abdel Adhami and Raed Yousef were arrested in the United States. French authorities also arrested three associates of Alzaq — Faouzi Barika, Amel Oualid and Nordine Barika — in a coordinated operation, according to the Justice Department.

Prosecutors allege that Alzaq operated an international fundraising network from at least January 2020. The network allegedly collected donations through campaigns presented as humanitarian assistance for people in Gaza.

The Justice Department said Alzaq collected more than $1.7 million through the campaigns. Authorities also allege that funds were transferred to Hamas through intermediaries and other channels.

US and France Coordinate Arrests

The investigation involved the FBI, New York Police Department and U.S. prosecutors in several federal districts.

French General Directorate for Internal Security officers arrested three people described by U.S. authorities as Alzaq associates. The Justice Department said they allegedly helped collect and transfer funds raised for Hamas.

U.S. officials also allege that cryptocurrency and other financial methods were used to conceal parts of the activity.

FBI Director Kash Patel said investigators worked across borders to trace the alleged flow of money. He said the case demonstrated the role of U.S. and international law enforcement cooperation in disrupting terrorist financing.

Defendants Face Federal Charges

Alzaq, 45, is described in the indictment as a Hamas member based in Gaza and a deputy battalion figure in the Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades, Hamas’s armed wing, according to prosecutors.

The indictment alleges that he also worked in a media office associated with the group’s Shujaiyya Brigade. Prosecutors further accuse him of promoting Hamas material and using social media to support fundraising activities.

US Charges Four Over Alleged Hamas Financing Network

The Justice Department said Alzaq faces charges including conspiracy to provide material support to Hamas, conspiracy to violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, money-laundering conspiracy and conspiracy to defraud the United States.

Omar Adhami, 33, and Abdel Adhami, 35, both from Covington, Louisiana, are accused of contributing to the alleged financing network.

According to prosecutors, Abdel Adhami allegedly contributed about $94,000, while Omar Adhami allegedly contributed about $11,000 between February 2021 and September 2026. Authorities allege that the payments involved wire transfers and intermediaries.

Raed Yousef, 56, of Lutz, Florida, is accused of providing almost $50,000 to the network. He faces multiple federal counts involving alleged material support, money laundering and passport fraud.

Justice Department Targets Terror Financing

U.S. Attorney Jamie McDonald for the Southern District of New York said prosecutors would continue pursuing people accused of financing Hamas regardless of where they operate.

Assistant Attorney General for National Security John A. Eisenberg said the investigation involved multiple jurisdictions and international cooperation.

The Justice Department said the Alzaq investigation is being led by the FBI with assistance from the NYPD. Separate investigations involving the Adhami brothers and Yousef are being handled by FBI offices in New Orleans and Florida.

The case follows wider U.S. efforts to disrupt financial networks allegedly supporting Hamas. The Justice Department said the investigation focused on fundraising activities that authorities believe were used to channel money to the organization.

The charges are allegations, not convictions. All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.