Italy Arrests Nine Over €7M Hamas Funding Network, Seizes €8M in Assets

Italy Arrests Nine Over €7M Hamas Funding Network, Seizes €8M in Assets

Italian authorities have arrested nine people accused of raising around €7 million (£6 million) for Hamas over more than two years under the guise of humanitarian aid for Palestinians, in a major counter-terror operation.

According to a police statement, the funds, which were ostensibly collected to support Palestinian civilians, were instead diverted to the militant group via a “complex fundraising system”. As part of the investigation, police also seized more than €8 million (£7 million) in assets.

The suspects are accused of financing operations believed to have contributed to terrorist activities. The arrests were carried out jointly by Italy’s counter-terror police and financial police, following an investigation that began after the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack in southern Israel.

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Investigators traced a network headquartered in Genoa with branches in Milan, uncovering a system that channelled over 71% of collected donations to Hamas’s military wing and to support the families of suicide bombers or those detained for terrorism.

Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi said the most prominent suspect is Mohammad Hannoun, president of the Palestinian Association in Italy, who has previously denied allegations of financing Hamas. Piantedosi praised police efforts but emphasised the presumption of innocence at this stage.

Authorities described the operation as a major success in disrupting the financial networks that support terrorism in Europe, highlighting ongoing vigilance against terrorist financing disguised as humanitarian aid.

Italy Arrests Nine Over €7M Hamas Funding Network, Seizes €8M in Assets

BBC