US Brothers Arrested for Allegedly Funding Hamas Through Social Media
Translated & summarized from Israel Hayom by baba
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Two Louisiana brothers were arrested for allegedly funding Hamas.
- They allegedly used social media to solicit donations for the terror group.
- Over $105,000 was transferred to a Gaza-based fundraiser.
- The operation allegedly disguised funds as charitable contributions.
- Code words were used to conceal financial discussions.
- An undercover operation helped uncover the network.
Two brothers from Louisiana, Abdal and Omar Adhami, have been arrested and charged in the United States for allegedly participating in a scheme to raise funds for the terrorist organization Hamas. According to court documents unsealed in the US, the brothers transferred funds to a fundraiser in Gaza, identified as Salim al-Zaq, who is accused of funneling approximately $1.7 million to Hamas from donors in the US and other countries. These donors reportedly believed they were assisting the civilian population.
The Adhami brothers were arrested last month. A grand jury has indicted them on four counts: providing material support to a foreign terrorist organization, conspiracy to provide support to Hamas, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and conspiracy to commit money laundering. The indictment alleges they transferred over $105,000 between February 2021 and September of this year.
Salim al-Zaq, described as a Hamas media representative believed to be in the Gaza Strip, faces charges including money laundering and sanctions violations. The Adhami brothers allegedly used Snapchat and Telegram to spread Hamas propaganda and solicit donations, directing followers to channels that posted pro-Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad content alongside fundraising requests. Similar requests were also distributed on Instagram.
Investigators revealed that the brothers used the code word "bread" to disguise discussions about funds intended for terrorists. According to FBI affidavits, Abdal instructed Omar via WhatsApp not to mention anything by name and to use "bread" instead. The brothers reportedly attempted to present the funding as charitable activity.
The investigation gained momentum in November 2025 when an undercover NYPD officer contacted al-Zaq, who then directed the officer to Abdal. Abdal allegedly offered to process a donation through his cosmetic stores' credit card system as a regular purchase. NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch stated that the department's counter-terrorism efforts are borderless and that its intelligence personnel uncovered the international financial network.
The Adhami brothers own cosmetic stores in Hammond and Slidell, Louisiana. They were reportedly held in custody pending a hearing and have not yet entered a plea. Their attorney did not respond to requests for comment.
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