Federal prosecutors say an international fundraising network led by Saleem Alzaq raised more than $1.7 million for Hamas between January 2020 and December 2025, including at least $626,000 from U.S. donors. An undercover operation allegedly recorded Alzaq arranging transfers and using coded terms such as "bread" and "bakeries" to conceal payments. Alzaq faces multiple federal charges — including providing material support to a designated terrorist organization and money laundering — and remains at large in Gaza.
Feds Allege International Fundraising Network Routed More Than $1.7M to Hamas, Including U.S. Donations
$1.7 million raised in scheme for Hamas, including from U.S. donors, feds say
Federal prosecutors say an international fundraising operation collected more than $1.7 million and funneled the money to Hamas, including at least $626,000 from donors in the United States, according to an indictment unsealed Thursday.
Who Is Accused
The indictment names 45-year-old Saleem Alzaq, a Gaza resident prosecutors describe as a long-standing Hamas member, as a key operator of the campaign that purported to collect humanitarian aid. Authorities say Alzaq has been affiliated with Hamas since at least 2017 and that he posted propaganda on social media, including material celebrating the Oct. 7, 2023 attack.
Alleged Scheme and Timeline
Prosecutors allege Alzaq and co-conspirators raised funds from January 2020 through December 2025 under the pretext of supplying food and winter supplies to Palestinians in Gaza. The indictment says the operation raised more than $1.7 million overall, with U.S.-based donations totaling at least $626,000. Law-enforcement officials also cited intelligence tying the network to more than $2 million in transfers to Hamas.
The filings say Alzaq launched a specific appeal on Oct. 7, 2023, claiming to raise money for Gazans injured that day; that solicitation reportedly continued until about Oct. 12, 2023.
International Reach
Investigators say the fundraising campaign was international in scope. Co-conspirators in France allegedly helped collect and move funds. The indictment also identifies U.S.-based donors by their alleged totals: two brothers in Louisiana reportedly gave about $105,000 together, while a man in Florida is accused of contributing nearly $50,000 to the network.
Undercover Evidence and Coded Language
Federal agents say an undercover law-enforcement officer posing as a New York–based supporter contacted Alzaq on Snapchat in November 2025. In subsequent exchanges, prosecutors allege, Alzaq discussed methods to receive money in New York and offered to connect the officer with local contacts.
Prosecutors allege that Alzaq used coded language to describe transfers — referring to payments with terms such as "bread," "bakeries," "buy bread" and "give it to the bakeries" — and advised donors to avoid referencing Hamas or slogans like "Free Palestine" to prevent payment accounts from being shut down.
Charges and Potential Penalties
Alzaq was charged with conspiring to provide material support to Hamas, conspiring to violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), conspiring to commit money laundering and conspiring to defraud the United States. The first three counts each carry a maximum sentence of up to 20 years in prison; the conspiracy to defraud count carries a maximum of five years.
Current Status
Prosecutors say Alzaq has not been arrested and remained in Gaza during the period covered by the indictment.
"Our intelligence analysts uncovered this international finance network and built the case that exposed more than $2 million being funneled to Hamas," NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said in a statement. "Saleem Alzaq, a leader in Hamas' military arm responsible for planning and carrying out terrorist attacks, and the other defendants allegedly solicited donations under the guise of humanitarian aid and then directed that money to Hamas."
The indictment is part of an ongoing federal investigation into how foreign terrorist organizations solicit and move funds across borders and the ways payment platforms and intermediaries may be misused.
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