Charity watchdog investigates aid charity over alleged Hamas links

A UK-based aid charity is being investigated by counter-terror police and the charity watchdog over alleged links to Hamas.

The Charity Commission launched an inquiry into Muslim faith-based charity Al-Khair Foundation on Friday.

Counter Terror Policing London (CTP) also confirmed investigations into the charity, with two search warrants on addresses in Croydon, South London.

The foundation said it is "co-operating fully" with the inquiry and had filed a serious incident report with the watchdog before it was launched.

A spokesperson for the foundation said: "Everywhere we work we are firmly committed to ensuring that the funds entrusted to us by our generous donors are used for their intended purpose: meeting the humanitarian needs of poor and marginalised people in the communities we serve.

"Al-Khair Foundation is deeply committed to supporting those in need in Gaza. Our significant support over many years has included providing food parcels, hot meals, clean water, medical aid, shelter materials, winter assistance and orphan and family support."

The Al-Khair Foundation provides emergency relief and developmental support in "some of the world's most impoverished areas", according to its website.

Hamas is designated as a terrorist organisation by the UK and US governments.

It comes after last week Mohammad Yousef Hasna, 45, from Istanbul, Turkey, was arrested in the UK over US accusations of conspiring to funnel money and supplies to Hamas through a "sham charity".

The US Department of Justice did not name the "sham charity" in their press release.

The Al-Khair foundation maintains that Hasna is not an employee but works with one of its global partners to enable the delivery of aid around the world.

Hasna is being held following his arrest by the UK's National Crime Agency (NCA) and pending extradition proceedings before he can be taken to New York to face the US charges.

The US Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York alleged Hasna used his senior role at a "purported global humanitarian organisation to coordinate directly with Hamas's senior leadership regarding the delivery of funds and supplies to Gaza, and the distribution of those funds and supplies at Hamas leadership's instructions".

Hasna is charged with conspiring to provide material support to Hamas, conspiring to finance terrorism and financing terrorism.

Each charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, the US Department of Justice said.

US Assistant Attorney General for National Security John A. Eisenberg said: "The money that flows from sham charities like the one described in the complaint fuels Hamas's terrorist activities, including the atrocities the group committed on October 7".

The Charity Commission said the Al-Khair Foundation recorded an income of more than £74m in the financial year ending 31 July 2025. The commission added it was made aware of the allegations against Hasna and "immediately started examining the serious concerns raised".

"The commission has now escalated its engagement to a statutory inquiry," the commission added.

Al-Khair is also subject to a legal order restricting some financial transactions being made without the consent of the Charity Commission.