Summary
The Hamas terror finance network came under scrutiny as the U.S. Department of Justice announced the unsealing of an indictment charging Saleem Alzaq, along with the arrests of Omar Adhami, Abdel Adhami and Raed Yousef, for their alleged involvement in paying, soliciting and collecting funds for Hamas.
In a coordinated law enforcement operation in France, three of Alzaq’s associates — Faouzi Barika, Amel Oualid and Nordine Barika — were also arrested by the French General Directorate for Internal Security.
Hamas terror finance case at a glance
| Key detail | Information |
| Central defendant | Saleem Alzaq |
| U.S. arrests | Omar Adhami, Abdel Adhami and Raed Yousef |
| French arrests | Faouzi Barika, Amel Oualid and Nordine Barika |
| Alleged activity | Paying, soliciting and collecting funds for Hamas |
| Alleged fundraising | More than $1 million from individual donors |
| Alleged funds identified as funneled to Hamas | More than $2 million |
| Fundraising cover alleged | Humanitarian aid and charitable giving |
| Financial channel highlighted | Cryptocurrency |
| U.S. agencies involved | DOJ, FBI and NYPD |
| International cooperation | French General Directorate for Internal Security |
| U.S. jurisdictions mentioned | Southern District of New York, Eastern District of Louisiana and Middle District of Florida |
DOJ says alleged network raised funds for Hamas
According to the Department of Justice, the case involves an international network accused of raising and moving money for Hamas. Prosecutors allege that the network operated across national borders and solicited funds from individual donors, including donors in the United States.
U.S. Attorney Jamie McDonald for the Southern District of New York said Saleem Alzaq was allegedly at the center of a Hamas financing network that operated around the globe. According to the statement, the network solicited more than $1 million from individual donors, including individuals in the United States.
The DOJ said the defendants allegedly solicited donations under the guise of humanitarian aid and subsequently directed the money to Hamas.
Alleged use of cryptocurrency
The investigation also focused on the alleged use of cryptocurrency to conceal the movement of funds.
According to the DOJ, the subjects allegedly engaged in a conspiracy extending beyond national borders to funnel money to Hamas while using cryptocurrency in an attempt to hide their criminal activity.
The case therefore involved both traditional fundraising activity and digital financial channels as investigators worked to trace money allegedly destined for Hamas.
Arrests and charges span multiple jurisdictions
The DOJ announcement covers investigations and prosecutions in several U.S. jurisdictions, together with coordinated action by French authorities.
According to the DOJ, the Alzaq indictment was unsealed in the Southern District of New York, while complaints concerning Omar Adhami and Abdel Adhami were filed in the Eastern District of Louisiana. The indictment concerning Raed Yousef was filed in the Middle District of Florida.
The coordinated action also involved French authorities, who arrested Faouzi Barika, Amel Oualid and Nordine Barika in France.
Statements from U.S. officials
Attorney General Todd Blanche said anyone who finances or assists terrorist organizations responsible for the deaths of American citizens should expect prosecution by the Department of Justice.
Blanche said Hamas members have raised funding for decades to carry out terrorist attacks and added that, under President Trump, the DOJ would continue pursuing terrorists who kill Americans, dismantling terrorist finance networks and seeking justice for victims’ families.
FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation) Director Kash Patel said the FBI would continue efforts to cut off funding to Hamas. He also referred to the October 7, 2023, attack on Israel and said the agency would continue pursuing efforts to disrupt financial resources reaching Hamas terrorists.
FBI and law enforcement agencies followed the money
The investigation involved multiple FBI offices and law enforcement partners.
The DOJ credited the FBI New York, New Orleans and Tampa Field Offices, its Counterterrorism Division, the Paris Legal Attaché’s Office and French authorities for their work on the case.
Assistant Attorney General for National Security John A. Eisenberg described money as the lifeblood of terrorist organizations. He said the arrests disrupted a global financing network allegedly supplying Hamas with funds and emphasized that the investigation involved multiple jurisdictions in the United States and across international borders.
Eisenberg also thanked the FBI agents and federal prosecutors involved in the investigation and recognized Joint Task Force 10-7 for its role in seeking justice for victims of the Hamas-led October 7, 2023, attack.
NYPD identifies more than $2 million allegedly funneled to Hamas
NYPD Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch said the department’s intelligence analysts uncovered the international finance network and developed the case that allegedly exposed more than $2 million being funneled to Hamas.
According to the NYPD statement cited by the DOJ, Saleem Alzaq was identified as a leader in Hamas’ military arm responsible for planning and carrying out terrorist attacks.
The other defendants allegedly solicited donations under the guise of humanitarian aid before directing the money to Hamas.
Tisch described the investigation as part of the NYPD’s counterterrorism work and thanked domestic and international law enforcement partners involved in dismantling the network.
U.S. prosecutors describe alleged roles of defendants
U.S. Attorney Jamie McDonald said the cooperation between law enforcement and prosecutors’ offices demonstrated a commitment to depriving Hamas of funding that it allegedly relies upon in Gaza and for terrorist attacks such as the October 7, 2023, attack.
According to the DOJ, Omar Adhami and Abdel Adhami are accused of providing Alzaq with resources intended to fund Hamas.
A U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Louisiana said the indictment and complaint allege that Saleem Alzaq solicited financial donations on behalf of Hamas, which the DOJ describes as a terrorist organization responsible for attacks worldwide.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office said it remains focused on identifying, prosecuting and eradicating terrorist networks and individuals who financially support them.
International cooperation remains central to investigation
U.S. officials emphasized that the investigation crossed international borders and required cooperation between American and French authorities.
The French General Directorate for Internal Security arrested Alzaq’s three associates — Faouzi Barika, Amel Oualid and Nordine Barika — as part of the coordinated operation.
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U.S. Attorney Kehoe for the Middle District of Florida said providing financial assistance and support to terrorist organizations such as Hamas puts the safety and security of people worldwide at risk.
Kehoe also praised the diligence and cooperation of domestic and international law enforcement partners during the investigation, saying the effort demonstrated a collective resolve to pursue, disrupt and prosecute individuals involved in such activities.
DOJ says investigation seeks to disrupt Hamas financing
The Department of Justice said the coordinated arrests and charges demonstrate its efforts to disrupt terrorist-financing networks and prevent funds from reaching Hamas.
The case involves allegations of fundraising, financial transfers, cryptocurrency use and international coordination. Investigators from multiple U.S. jurisdictions worked with French authorities to trace and disrupt the alleged network.
The DOJ’s announcement also connected the investigation to efforts to seek accountability for victims of the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack in Israel, which killed more than 1,200 men, women and children, according to the statement.
The National Security Division said it would continue working to hold perpetrators and those who enabled the attacks accountable.
Legal status
The individuals named in the indictment and complaints face allegations brought by U.S. prosecutors. The charges and allegations described in the DOJ announcement have not been established as facts in court, and defendants are entitled to the applicable legal presumption of innocence.
To read the original order please visit Department of Justice (DOJ) website