A reported media representative for Hamas has been accused of funneling some $1.7 million to the terror organization from international donors who believed they were giving humanitarian aid to Gaza, NBC News reported, citing a federal indictment unsealed on Thursday.
Saleem Alzaq was believed to be in Gaza when he was indicted by a federal grand jury in New York and was charged with money laundering and violating sanctions, according to the report.
Two brothers in the US, Abdel Adhami and Omar Adhami, were arrested last month in Louisiana and charged in connection with the plot, NBC wrote.
Brothers used social media to gain funds
The two allegedly raised money for Hamas through disseminating propaganda and soliciting donations for "the poor and orphans in Gaza," via social media.
Abdel Adhami has been charged with material support to a foreign terrorist organization, wire fraud, and money laundering, and Omar Adhami is charged with material support and wire fraud charges, according to their criminal complaints in Louisiana.
According to his complaint, Adhami used various Snapchat accounts to post Hamas propaganda and raise money for the terrorist organization by referring followers to his Telegram, and solicited money for Gaza through Instagram.