Read on Global NewsCanadian Connections to Hamas: Security Implications and Investigations
Recent intelligence reveals approximately 450 individuals with various roles in Hamas maintain connections to Canada, including citizens, permanent residents, and those with family ties. This investigation examines the security implications of these connections, focusing on key cases like alleged Hamas financier Usama Ali and Winnipeg resident Omar Alkassab. Canadian security agencies are actively investigating these ties amid concerns about potential exploitation of Canadian citizenship for terrorist activities. The situation highlights ongoing national security challenges and the complex balance between immigration policies and counter-terrorism efforts.
Recent intelligence disclosures have revealed a significant security concern for Canadian authorities: approximately 450 individuals with various roles in the Hamas organization maintain connections to Canada. According to sources familiar with the intelligence, these connections range from Canadian citizens to permanent residents and individuals with family or associate ties in the country. This revelation comes amid ongoing investigations by Canadian security agencies into potential terrorist affiliations among Canadian residents.
Scope of Canadian Connections
The list of individuals with Hamas ties includes approximately 450 people with various levels of involvement in the organization. According to a source who spoke to Global News on condition of anonymity, this figure dates to the time of the Hamas attack on Israel in October 2023 that killed 1,200 people and took more than 200 hostages. The source noted that the number may no longer be as high due to subsequent Israeli military operations targeting Hamas leadership in Lebanon, Iran, and Qatar.
The connections to Canada include permanent residents, citizens, and individuals with family or associates in the country. As Matthew Levitt, a senior fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, explained, "Having a foreign passport, especially a western passport, is a ticket to travel." This mobility advantage makes Canadian citizenship particularly valuable for members of designated terrorist organizations like Hamas.
Key Cases Under Investigation
Usama Ali: Alleged Hamas Financier
One of the most prominent cases involves Usama Ali, a 63-year-old alleged Hamas operative who holds Canadian citizenship among other passports. According to U.S. Treasury Department sanctions levied against him in 2022, Ali has used three Canadian passports and serves as head of the Hamas Investment Office. This office, originally based in Saudi Arabia and later relocated to Turkey, has accumulated an estimated US$500 million in assets through construction and real estate companies spanning Africa and the Middle East.
Ali's involvement with Hamas extends beyond financial matters. In 2019, he became a member of the Shura Council, a consultative body that elects Hamas executives and shapes the terror group's strategies and policies. He also served on the Executive Committee, the main Hamas decision-making body led by political leader Ismail Haniyeh. The U.S. Treasury Department alleges that Ali "maintained direct contact with senior Hamas leaders" while overseeing financial operations that funded the organization's activities.
Omar Alkassab: Winnipeg Connection
Another case under investigation involves Omar Alkassab, a Syrian refugee who arrived in Winnipeg in 2016 and worked as a house painter. Israeli authorities identified Alkassab as the owner of a cryptocurrency wallet associated with the Dubai Money Exchange in Gaza, which was sanctioned for moving money for Hamas. According to Israeli government documents, this exchange was "a significant part of Hamas' economic infrastructure."
The Canadian government launched an investigation into Alkassab in May 2022, one month after Israeli authorities seized his crypto wallet. His citizenship application has been suspended, and four federal agencies—Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, RCMP, Canadian Security Intelligence Service, and Canada Border Services Agency—are examining his background. The case has been categorized as a national security matter.
Security Response and Legal Framework
The Canadian Security Intelligence Service has confirmed it is investigating Canadians in Middle East terror groups, though the agency declined to provide specific details about ongoing operations. Hamas has been a listed terrorist entity in Canada since 2002, making it illegal to participate in or contribute to "any activity" of the group. Public Safety Canada describes Hamas as a "radical Islamist-nationalist terrorist organization."
Noah Shack, CEO of the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs, emphasized the urgency of addressing this threat: "The government of Canada must act urgently to confront the threat posed by Hamas-linked individuals, both to prevent attacks on Canadian soil and to ensure Canada is not exploited to facilitate terrorism abroad. Participation in a banned terrorist group must bring real consequences. Canadians deserve to be protected from terrorist threats."
Ongoing Investigations and Legal Proceedings
The investigation into Omar Alkassab's case continues through multiple legal channels. Alkassab has launched a court case against the government for delaying his citizenship, claiming he was unaware of any investigations against him and has no criminal record. Meanwhile, federal Justice Department lawyers have filed a separate application asking the court to allow the government to withhold sensitive evidence about Alkassab, arguing that divulging it would be "injurious to national security."
As these investigations proceed, security experts note that the presence of individuals with Hamas connections in Canada represents an ongoing challenge for national security agencies. The cases highlight the complex interplay between immigration policies, citizenship processes, and counter-terrorism efforts in maintaining national security while upholding legal rights and due process.
