Abdullah Ezzeldin Taha Mohamed Hassan, an 18-year-old freshman at George Mason University, has been charged with plotting a mass casualty attack on the Israeli consulate in New York City. The FBI arrested Hassan, an Egyptian national residing in Falls Church, Virginia, after he allegedly instructed an undercover informant on how to carry out the attack.
According to a criminal complaint filed in a federal court in Virginia, Hassan ran multiple social media accounts supporting ISIS, al-Qaeda, and Hamas, advocating violence against Jews. He reportedly provided bomb-making instructions and suggested using an assault rifle or suicide vest for the attack. Hassan also advised the informant to livestream the attack for ISIS media.
The FBI began investigating Hassan after receiving a tip about his social media activities. An undercover agent connected with him on secure messaging apps, where Hassan shared jihadist propaganda and encouraged the informant to target the Israeli consulate. He was arrested on December 17 and charged with demonstrating how to manufacture explosives with intent to harm internationally protected persons, which could lead to a 20-year prison sentence.
George Mason University confirmed Hassan’s enrollment but has barred him from campus. He is also facing removal proceedings with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The investigation is ongoing, and more charges may be added.
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