{
  "id": 16173257,
  "title": "Global Hamas fundraising network shut down after 'Gaza aid diverted'",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/23/global-hamas-fundraising-network-shut-down-after-gaza-aid-diverted-16173257",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-10-23T09:50:01.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The National Business",
    "slug": "the-national-business",
    "url": "https://www.thenationalnews.com/news/mena/2026/10/23/global-hamas-fundraising-network-shut-down-after-gaza-aid-diverted/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A global network that raised money for Hamas by allegedly diverting donations meant for Gaza has been dismantled after a series of arrests. The operation, controlled by Saleem Alzaq, a senior Hamas propaganda official, allegedly raised $2 million for the militant group, with $1.5 million received after the 2023 October 7 attack on Israel. US authorities claim that Alzaq's network solicited donations from around the world, purportedly for humanitarian aid to Gaza. Two French charities, Association Baraka and Ensemble C Mieux, founded by Faouzi Barika and Amel Oualid respectively, have been closed down following arrests by France's security service, DGSI. Both charities are alleged to have worked with Alzaq and are accused of raising money for Hamas. Barika and Oualid have been sanctioned under the Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) designation. Three men in the US have also been arrested for allegedly donating $155,000 to Hamas through the financing network. Alzaq is charged for his alleged role in the social media fund-raising under the guise of aid for Gaza, which prosecutors claim allowed Hamas to \"exploit the sympathy and generosity of the international public at the expense of the Palestinian people.\"",
  "summary": "A global network that fund raised for Hamas by allegedly diverting financial donations intended as humanitarian aid for Gaza has been closed down by a series of arrests. The fund-raising operation for the militant group was controlled by Saleem Alzaq, 45, a senior Hamas propaganda official, according to prosecutors. US authorities claim that Mr Alzaq's network raised $2 million for Hamas, of…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}