The Case of Mahmoud Amin Ya’qub Al-Muhtadi: Unraveling the October 7, 2023 Attack on Israel
A man accused of involvement in the October 7, 2023 attack on Israel has been identified as Mahmoud Amin Ya’qub Al-Muhtadi, originally from Gaza. He entered the United States and resided in Tulsa before moving to Louisiana. The attack, considered one of the worst on the Jewish community since the Holocaust, led to a two-year conflict that is now being resolved under a new ceasefire agreement between Israel, Hamas, and Palestine.
Al-Muhtadi submitted a U.S. visa application from Cairo, Egypt, denying any ties to paramilitary organizations or terrorist activities. He listed Tulsa as his intended residence and mentioned car repairs or food services as his planned work. After entering the U.S. in September 2024, he lived in Tulsa until May 2025 before relocating to Lafayette, Louisiana, where he was later arrested.
Investigators found photos of Al-Muhtadi with a gun in a Tulsa apartment, although the gun was not used in the attack. He armed himself on the morning of October 7, 2023, recruited other fighters, and crossed into Israel as part of the assault on the Kfar Aza kibbutz. Cell-phone data placed him near the location during the attack.
Al-Muhtadi has been charged with visa fraud and providing support to a foreign terrorist organization, which could result in a life sentence. He is expected to appear in federal court in Lafayette, Louisiana. The U.S. Justice Department's Joint Task Force "October 7" is handling the case to prosecute individuals linked to the attack.
Authorities will investigate how Al-Muhtadi traveled from Gaza to the U.S., obtained his visa, and his activities in Oklahoma and Louisiana. Attorney General Pam Bondi condemned his actions and emphasized the commitment to prosecuting those responsible for the attack. The Department's Joint Task Force October 7 aims to seek justice for the victims and hold accountable those involved in the tragic events of October 7, 2023.