Some Americans who thought they were making humanitarian donations for Gaza were actually funding Hamas, according to prosecutors.
Federal prosecutors are saying that Saleem Alzaq, a 45-year-old from Gaza, allegedly funneled $1.7 million to the terrorist group, with hundreds of thousands of it coming from U.S. donors, CBS News reported. Alzaq, who is believed to be in Gaza, was indicted in New York on charges of money laundering and violating sanctions.
"Our intelligence analysts uncovered this international finance network and built the case that exposed more than $2 million being funneled to Hamas," said NYPD Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch.
"Saleem Alzaq, a leader in Hamas' military arm responsible for planning and carrying out terrorist attacks, and the other defendants solicited donations under the guise of humanitarian aid and then directed that money to Hamas," Tisch added.
Alzaq and his co-conspirators purported to be raising money for food and winter necessities for Palestinians in need living in Gaza and enduring the war with Israel. In reality, prosecutors said, the money was going to Hamas. The bogus campaigns raised more than $1.7 million, including $626,000 from Americans.
Alzaq was described in the indictment as a Gaza media representative. Also indicted were two brothers, Abdel Adhami and Omar Adhami, who promoted the fundraising via social media, soliciting donations for "the poor and orphans in Gaza." The pair were arrested in Louisiana last month.
According to NBC News, Abdel Adhami faces charges of material support to a foreign terrorist organization, wire fraud, and money laundering. His brother Omar Adhami also faces material support and wire fraud charges.
The investigation also involved an undercover operation that prosecutors say demonstrates that Alzaq knew where the money was going. Alzaq was contacted by an undercover officer in November 2025 who directly told Alzaq he wanted to support Hamas.
According to the indictment, Alzaq told the officer that he was already dealing with people who wanted to fund "the green," which prosecutors say is code for Hamas. He then told the officer he could get money monthly to the "green."
Alzaq also advised Hamas donors not to reference Hamas and to avoid writing things like "Free Palestine" or "long live Hamas" when making donations to his PayPal accounts, CBS News reported.
