San Diego Man Charged with Funneling ‘Charity’ Donations to Hamas

A San Diego resident has been arrested for allegedly raising hundreds of thousands of dollars for Hamas through online campaigns disguised as humanitarian aid for Gaza, the US Justice Department announced on Wednesday, June 17. Reda Mazen Rida Sabassi, 38, was charged in a five-count criminal complaint with terrorism, sanctions evasion, wire fraud, money laundering, and making false statements. Taken into custody on Tuesday, June 16, he appeared before US Magistrate Judge Steve B. Chu in the Southern District of California.

Prosecutors say Sabassi operated social media accounts, crowdfunding websites, and a purported charity called Ikram – The Arab Charity Foundation Inc., soliciting donations from around the world, including from American citizens, while claiming the money would provide relief inside the Gaza Strip. In reality, the funds were destined for Hamas. Between December 2023 and February 2024, he is alleged to have collected roughly $600,000, sending approximately $116,000 directly to a Hamas operative and attempting to convert about $382,000 into cryptocurrency for transfer to the terror group through Gaza Now, a Hamas-linked fundraising network. Each of four of the charges carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.

Investigators allege that Sabassi was a long-time, vocal supporter of Hamas who produced an hour-long propaganda video glorifying the October 7, 2023, massacre and posted it around the second anniversary of the attack. Officials emphasized the gravity of bankrolling a group that has murdered Americans and called for attacks on the United States, casting the case as part of a coordinated effort to choke off the money that fuels terror. Sabassi is presumed innocent unless proven guilty, and the case now moves toward prosecution.

(JPost/VFI News)

Heavenly Father, we thank You for exposing hidden schemes that channel money into the hands of terrorists. We ask You to grant wisdom and diligence to the investigators and authorities who work to cut off the funding of terror. We pray that deceptive networks built to finance violence would be uncovered and dismantled, and that resources meant for evil would be turned to good. We pray, in Yeshua’s Name, for the protection of Israel and of all who are targeted by those who bankroll hatred.