In a major development in the ongoing investigation into the October 7 2023 Hamas-led assault on Israel, federal agents have arrested a Louisiana resident accused of taking part in the attack and later lying to U.S. immigration authorities to obtain a visa.

According to an unsealed FBI criminal complaint, Mahmoud Amin Ya’qub Al-Muhtadi, a 33-year-old native of Gaza, allegedly joined Hamas-aligned fighters during the October 7 2023 assault that killed more than 1,200 people and saw over 250 hostages taken — including American citizens.

The FBI claims Al-Muhtadi armed himself and gathered a small group that crossed from Gaza into southern Israel during the coordinated attack. Cell-phone data reportedly placed him near the Israeli village of Kfar Aza, one of the hardest-hit locations in the massacre.

Court documents reveal that Al-Muhtadi later submitted an electronic visa application in Cairo in June 2024, stating he had never been involved in any terrorist or paramilitary activities. The application said he planned to move to Tulsa, Oklahoma, to work in “car repairs or food services.”

In September 2024, Al-Muhtadi legally entered the United States and soon relocated to Lafayette, Louisiana, where he worked at a local restaurant. The FBI alleges he maintained social media accounts tied to Hamas-aligned propaganda and displayed photos of known militant leaders.

Throughout July to September 2025, FBI agents met with Al-Muhtadi several times in Lafayette as part of a wider counter-terrorism investigation. According to the criminal complaint, he dismissed warnings from associates to stay off social media, claiming he could “post whatever he wanted” in support of Hamas without consequence.

Federal prosecutors say Al-Muhtadi could face multiple charges, including visa fraud and conspiracy to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization. If convicted, those charges carry significant prison sentences and potential deportation.

The Justice Department stated that the case forms part of a broader national security operation investigating individuals tied to the October 7 2023 attack who may have since entered the United States.

Attorney General Pam Bondi reaffirmed the department’s commitment to prosecuting those responsible for “the murder and kidnapping of American citizens during that horrific day.” She added that the Justice Department and its partners “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 commented on the arrest, saying “justice will be served” and suggesting Al-Muhtadi could be transferred to the newly opened immigration detention unit at the state’s maximum-security prison, nicknamed ‘Louisiana Lockup.’

Authorities say the arrest was made possible through close coordination between U.S. federal agents, Israeli security services, and international intelligence partners. The FBI’s task force investigating the October 7 attack continues to pursue leads tied to the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine (DFLP) and its Gaza-based militant arm, the National Resistance Brigades, of which Al-Muhtadi was allegedly a member.

Investigators uncovered digital evidence — including phone calls, emails, and social-media messages — suggesting Al-Muhtadi communicated with other operatives before and after the attack. One intercepted message quoted him telling associates to “bring the rifles” and referring to the planned kidnappings as “a game that will be a good one.”

The case has heightened concerns about U.S. visa screening and how individuals affiliated with foreign militant groups may exploit the immigration system to enter the country. Officials say the Justice Department and Department of Homeland Security are reviewing current vetting processes to prevent similar incidents in the future.

The Louisiana arrest serves as a stark reminder of the global reach of terrorism and how conflicts abroad can directly impact U.S. communities. National-security analysts note that while the incident does not suggest a widespread infiltration of militants, it underscores the need for continual vigilance in visa screening, community awareness, and counter-terrorism coordination.

As the case proceeds in federal court, it will likely fuel renewed discussions about the balance between immigration policy, humanitarian protections, and national-security enforcement.

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