Gazan Terrorist Laughed During Oct. 7 Hamas Attack, Court Records Show
Newly filed federal court exhibits include intercepted phone calls allegedly featuring Mahmud Amin Ya’qub al-Muhtadi discussing weapons and ammunition during the assault on southern Israel.
A Gaza terrorist, who US prosecutors allege participated in the Hamas assault on southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, can be heard laughing and discussing weapons and ammunition in intercepted telephone calls made during the attack, according to federal court exhibits newly filed by prosecutors.
Mahmud Amin Ya’qub al-Muhtadi, a 33-year-old Gazan native, entered the United States in September 2024 and was arrested in Louisiana in 2025 on immigration fraud charges. Prosecutors submitted transcripts of the calls as evidence in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Louisiana.
The Hamas-led invasion of southern Israel began at 6:30 a.m. on Oct. 7, 2023.
In one intercepted call at 8:55 a.m., an interlocutor identified as Abu Haytham asks al-Muhtadi about the situation. Al-Muhtadi responds by inquiring about the availability of weapons and ammunition. Abu Haytham states he has rifles but “no ammunitions.” Al-Muhtadi then asks, “Ok, are you ready?” to which Abu Haytham replies, “Yes, ready!” Al-Muhtadi instructs him to bring the rifles and whatever else he has.
When Abu Haytham says, “Ok, bring ammunitions,” followed by laughter, al-Muhtadi asks, “What?” Abu Haytham clarifies, “Man! That is not what I meant. You are not normal,” the transcript indicates.
In a separate intercepted call from 9:33 a.m. on the same day, al-Muhtadi is heard laughing as he states, “Ah, no, I went inside,” and tells an unidentified caller to meet him “at Malaka’s, inside.” During the exchange, al-Muhtadi repeatedly warns those around him, “Be careful, don’t mention Al-Qassam! No one mentions Al-Qassam, boys,” and orders, “Turn your phones off, boys.”
When the caller asks if he has “extra—ammunition and things,” al-Muhtadi replies, “Yes, yes man. Yes. Yes.” The caller then says, “So, I will come to you empty. I have nothing,” to which al-Muhtadi instructs, “Just come, but if you can, secure a motorcycle to use it, in order to come inside?”
Prosecutors contend these calls support their allegations that al-Muhtadi directly participated in the Hamas-led assault.
Court exhibits also include an online exchange from Sept. 18, 2024, after al-Muhtadi had arrived in the United States. An associate advised him to avoid contacting “the resistance guys,” warning that he was “under surveillance for everything” and urging him not to publish anything. Al-Muhtadi responded, “Um Amin, there is democracy here. If you post Al-Sinwar’s picture, no one will tell you anything,” referencing Yahya Sinwar, the former Hamas leader in Gaza and alleged mastermind of the Oct. 7 attacks, who was killed by Israeli forces in October 2024.
The transcripts were submitted as part of a motion in limine, seeking to compel the defense to provide transcripts of material it intends to use at trial.