Full Breakdown
San Diego Charity Operator Charged with Funding Hamas
6/18/2026, 10:14:06 PM
Alleged Hamas Funding Scheme
Reda Mazen Rida Sabassi, a 38-year-old U.S. citizen, ran the nonprofit Ikram – The Arab Charity Foundation Inc. and used social-media, crowdfunding sites, and the charity’s platform to solicit roughly $600,000 for “humanitarian aid” in Gaza. Prosecutors allege he sent $116,000 to a Hamas operative in Turkey, attempted to convert $382,000 of donor money into cryptocurrency for further Hamas transfers, and diverted $11,000 to personal accounts. He was arrested in San Diego on June 17, 2026, held without bail as a flight risk, and faces up to 20 years per count.
Timeline & Financial Overview
- Oct 7, 2023 – Hamas attacks Israel, sparking a war that has killed over 73,000 Palestinians and 1,200 Israelis.
- Dec 2023 – Feb 2024 – Sabassi’s online campaigns raised $600,000–$604,000.
- 2024 – The Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control sanctioned Gaza Now, a Gaza-based entity linked to Hamas.
- June 17, 2026 – Sabassi arrested; appears before U.S. Magistrate Judge Steve B. Chu.
- June 17, 2026 – Federal complaint filed in the Southern District of New York.
The complaint details $116,000 sent to a Hamas member, $382,000 earmarked for cryptocurrency conversion (reported as $380,000 in one source), and $10,000–$11,000 moved to Sabassi’s personal accounts. Donors included thousands worldwide, with more than 100 contributors from the Southern District of New York.
Official Statements & Legal Context
The Department of Justice charged Sabassi with conspiracy to provide material support to a terrorist organization, sanctions-evasion, wire fraud, money laundering and false statements. Prosecutors emphasized the use of cryptocurrency, VPNs and anonymous wallets to conceal transfers. Judge Chu described Sabassi as a flight risk and ordered pre-trial detention without bail. The complaint notes that Gaza Now’s sanctioned status makes the alleged transfers a violation of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. Sources differ on the total amount raised ($600,000 vs. $604,000) and the cryptocurrency conversion figure ($380,000 vs. $382,000). Personal diversion amounts are reported as $5,000 crypto + $6,000 bank and as a combined $10,000. No defense comment was available at the time of reporting.
Why It Matters
The case shows how charitable fronts can be misused to funnel money to a designated terrorist organization, exposing weaknesses in online fundraising and cryptocurrency channels and prompting tighter U.S. enforcement.
What’s Next
Sabassi remains in custody pending extradition to the Southern District of New York, where he will face trial. A conviction could bring up to 20 years per count, and investigators continue probing possible co-conspirators and related networks.
Verbatim Quotes
- “to help finance that group’s terror and violence” — John A. Eisenberg, Assistant Attorney General for National Security
- “to line his own pockets,” — John A. Eisenberg, Assistant Attorney General for National Security
- “Hamas promotes attacks against the U.S. and has murdered dozens of Americans through acts of terror,” — Jay Clayton, U.S. Attorney
- “Our arrest of Reda Sabassi demonstrates our whole-of-government commitment to prosecute those who provide financial support to a malign terrorist regime that hates America.” — Jay Clayton, U.S. Attorney
- “The defendant allegedly claimed to be raising money for charity but was actually funding the terrorist organization Hamas and also lining his own pockets,” — Donald Holstead, Assistant Director, FBI Counterterrorism Division
