Italian authorities have arrested nine people linked to three charities on suspicion of raising millions in funds for the terrorist organization Hamas.
The suspects allegedly diverted about 7 million euros ($8.2 million) to “associations based in Gaza, the Palestinian territories or Israel, owned, controlled or affiliated with Hamas,” according to a statement from anti-terrorism prosecutors. The Associated Press.
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Police officers inspect a charity organization supporting Palestinian citizens in Milan on Saturday, December 27, 2025, after Italian investigators arrested nine people suspected of raising millions of euros for Hamas. (Claudio Furlan/LaPresse via AP)
The charities’ official purpose was to raise donations “for humanitarian purposes for the Palestinian people,” but more than 71% of the funds were intended to directly finance Hamas or entities linked to the terror organization. The times of Israel reported, citing the police. The newspaper noted that police also claimed that some of the money went to “relatives involved in terrorist attacks.”
One of those arrested was Mohammad Hannoun, president of the Palestinian Association in Italy, the AP reported, citing prosecutors. The newspaper noted that prosecutors described Hannoun as “the head of the Italian cell of the Hamas organization.”
Hamas terrorists stand guard on the day of the transfer of hostages held in Gaza since the deadly October 7, 2023 attack as part of a ceasefire and hostage and prisoner swap deal between Hamas and Israel, in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip on February 22, 2025. (Hatem Khaled/Reuters)
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Prosecutors said the money was sent to the terror organization through “triangulation operations” through bank transfers or through foreign-based organizations to Gaza-based associations, which Israel has declared illegal because of their ties to Hamas, the AP reported.
Italian Interior Minister Matteo Paintedosi said the arrest operation was “important and meaningful” and that it “lifted the veil on behavior and activities that, under the pretext of being initiatives in favor of the Palestinian people, concealed support for and participation in terrorist organizations.”
Police officers inspect a charity organization supporting Palestinian citizens in Milan on Saturday, December 27, 2025. (Claudio Furlan/LaPresse via AP)
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Hamas, which has ruled the Gaza Strip since 2006, is considered a terrorist organization by many countries and international institutions. The US, Britain, Argentina, Australia, Canada, Israel and the European Union are among those that have designated Hamas a terrorist organization.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
