Investigation launched into international aid charity over alleged links with Hamas
The UK Charity Commission has launched a statutory inquiry into Al-Khair Foundation, a £74 million aid charity, over alleged links to Hamas, a proscribed terrorist organisation, and imposed transaction restrictions.
The Charity Commission, the UK’s charity regulator, opened a statutory inquiry into Al-Khair Foundation on 5 August 2026 under the Charities Act 2011 due to serious regulatory concerns. The inquiry follows a complaint alleging the charity and its partners had connections to Hamas, including funding the organisation. The regulator is also examining the arrest of Mohammad Yousef Hasna, an employee of one of the charity’s Gaza aid partners, who has been charged in the US with conspiring to provide material support to Hamas.
The Commission has restricted certain financial transactions by the charity without its prior consent, citing potential serious risk to charitable funds. The inquiry will assess whether trustees have complied with their legal duties regarding administration, governance, and management. The regulator will verify allegations, including Hasna’s connection to the charity, and may extend the inquiry if additional issues arise.
The Charity Commission cannot investigate criminal matters but will refer any evidence of criminal activity to law enforcement. If criminal conduct is identified, the case will be passed to the police for investigation. The Commission’s role is limited to regulatory concerns, such as safeguarding charity assets and public trust in the sector.
The inquiry is part of the Commission’s statutory powers to formally investigate regulatory concerns and use protective measures for the benefit of the charity and its beneficiaries. The regulator will publish a report detailing its findings, actions taken, and outcomes once the inquiry concludes. Al-Khair Foundation reported an income of over £74 million in the financial year ending 31 July 2025.