Hamas' Favorite New Media Outlet Shouldn't be Funded by American Taxpayers
As it applies for 501c3 status, come learn the facts about Drop Site News
The 501(c)(3) framework continues to be exploited by extremist entities that support U.S.-designated terrorist organizations and employ individuals with ties to terrorism. A recent example of this troubling phenomenon is Drop Site, a project founded by former Intercept staffers Jeremy Scahill and Ryan Grim.
Beyond their generally pro-Hamas coverage and “exclusive interviews” with senior Hamas officials, the outlet utilizes the services of several individuals with concerning connections to U.S.-designated terror groups such as Hamas and Islamic Jihad. Additionally, some associated individuals have openly expressed support for terrorism and the Hamas-led massacre on October 7th.
The sections below detail these individuals, their affiliations, and their concerning statements.
I’m publishing this on Substack, rather than limiting it to a thread on my X account, because it’s just been brought to my attention that Drop Site—which currently benefits from 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsorship through the Social Security Works Education Fund—is now applying for its own 501(c)(3) status. I am hoping this format will make it easier to send this to relevant parties so that this potentiality can be avoided.
Below is a breakdown of the terror-tied individuals associated with Drop Site:
1. Hossam Shabat
Drop Site runs articles by Hossam Shabat, confirmed by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to be a Hamas sniper.
Seeing as the IDF has already confirmed Hossam’s Hamas membership, I will not break down my own findings. However, some of Hossam’s glorification of terror can be found on this thread I previously published.
2. Mujahed al-Saadi
Another Drop Site contributor, Mujahed also writes for Palestine Today TV, which belongs to the Islamic Jihad terrorist organization (as confirmed by the State Department as well).
You can see my full breakdown of Mujahed’s apparently close relationship with Islamic Jihad officials, including the infamous (now deceased) leader Khader Adnan, in this thread I published several months back.
3. AbuBaker Abed
Despite his baby-face exterior, Abed has expressed support for terrorism, including the October 7th massacre, and expressed antisemitic sentiments.
Firstly, here is Drop Site’s Jeremy Scahill referring to Abed as “our reporter in Gaza.” As you can see, he has written for Drop Site.
On X, Abed has posted antisemitic content such as "In Your hands, O Lord, are all matters. O God, bestow Your curse upon the Jews. O God, crush them, burn them, and shake the earth beneath them. O Lord, O Lord, O Lord."
On the morning of October 7th, Abed posted a video of Hamas terrorists – whom he refers to as “freedom fighters” – invading Israel and wrote “glad tidings are spread around Gaza” (archived link here).
One of Abed’s posts from October 7th. Source: AbuBaker Abed X
4. Ahlam Al Nafed al Talouli
The final entry on this list (for now) is Ahlam Al Nafed al Talouli, whom Drop Site acknowledges “was a trusted source, providing detailed reporting, video, and information to Drop Site News and others” before she was killed in January 2025.
On the morning of October 7th, Ahlam posted a video of Hamas terrorists invading Israel and wrote "Deployment of Al-Qassam members inside the occupation's settlements. May God protect them, and may our Lord be with them, O Lord.”
Ahlam also posted on October 7th that the scenes from the attack are “something we never imagined even in our best dreams.”
Other posts in support of October 7th can be found here and here.
Additional examples of Ahlam’s support for terrorism and violence can be found here.
While the First Amendment is sacred and nonnegotiable, it does not grant outlets the right to employ individuals with ties to terrorism. Similarly, while people are free to express abhorrent ideas—including pro-terror views—this should not be subsidized by American taxpayers.
For these reasons, the U.S. government should deny Drop Site’s application for 501(c)(3) status and revoke its current fiscal sponsorship through the Social Security Works Education Fund.