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Hamas Canadian Operatives pose a significant threat, intelligence sources suggest. A source familiar with the matter revealed the extent of the ties. Approximately 450 people with various roles in Hamas connect to Canada. This list includes permanent residents and citizens like Usama Ali. Ali is an alleged Hamas executive and financial office head. The figure dates back to the October 7, 2023, attack on Israel. This attack killed 1,200 people and took over 200 hostages. The high number is concerning, according to the source.
Passport Advantage and Leadership Role
Matthew Levitt, a leading Hamas expert, finds the number plausible. Levitt is a Senior Fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy. He confirms other Western nations face similar issues. Individuals range from full Hamas members to those serving in the Gaza government. Holding a foreign passport, especially a Canadian one, offers major advantages. It grants easier border movement and consular protection. Levitt calls a Western passport a “ticket to travel.”
The most senior Canadian in Hamas is the 63-year-old Usama Ali. Ali also holds Lebanese citizenship and uses several aliases. U.S. sanctions from 2022 list three Canadian passports used by him. His current location is unknown, but his office is reportedly based in Turkey.
The Hamas Investment Empire
The U.S. Treasury Department alleges Ali headed the Hamas Investment Office in 2017. This office later moved from Saudi Arabia to Turkey. It amassed an estimated US$500 million in assets. These assets included construction and real estate companies. The businesses spanned the Middle East and Africa. They served to hide money and bankroll Hamas activities. Levitt, a former U.S. Treasury official, views this as a strategic, long-term investment. They generate income to support the group.
The Treasury Department stated Ali had no official role in the companies. However, he was involved in business activities and coordinated financial transfers. His deputy, Hisham Younis Yahia Qafisheh, held key business roles. Qafisheh was deputy chair of the Turkish firm Trend GYO. The investment office also covertly held assets in Algeria and the UAE. A significant portion of these funds supported the Al-Qassam Brigades. This is the military wing that executed the October 7 assault.
Investigation of a Winnipeg Refugee
Not all linked individuals hold high rank; some live in Canada. Omar Alkassab, a Syrian refugee in Winnipeg, is under investigation. Israeli authorities seized his crypto account in 2022. The account was linked to the Dubai Money Exchange. This exchange, located in Gaza, was sanctioned for moving money for Hamas. Alkassab’s crypto wallet was traced to Canada, listing a Manitoba phone number.
Alkassab, who applied for citizenship in 2019, faces a major security review. The Canadian government suspended his application in May 2022. Four federal agencies, including CSIS and the RCMP, are investigating. CSIS flagged his Gaza crypto wallet in a January 2025 report. They cited the Israeli designation of the Dubai Exchange as a terrorist organization. Alkassab denies any criminal activity or knowledge of the investigations. He has sued the government over the citizenship delay. Lawyers argue that releasing sensitive evidence would be injurious to National Security and Intelligence Oversight.
Call for Urgent Action
Hamas is a listed terrorist entity in Canada. Participating in the group’s activities is illegal. Noah Shack, CEO of CIJA, calls for urgent government action. Canada must confront the threat posed by Hamas Canadian Operatives. This prevents attacks on Canadian soil. It also ensures Canada is not exploited to facilitate terrorism abroad. Participation in a banned terrorist group must bring real consequences.
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