Italian anti-terrorism prosecutors have announced the arrest of nine individuals suspected of channelling millions of euros to the Palestinian militant group Hamas through a network of charitable organisations.
The Investigation and Key Arrest
The operation, detailed in a statement released on Saturday 27 December 2025, targeted people linked to three separate charities. Mohammad Hannoun, identified as the president of the Palestinian Association in Italy, was among those detained. Prosecutors described him as the alleged head of the Italian cell of Hamas.
The suspects are accused of orchestrating a complex scheme to send approximately 7 million euros (around $8.2 million) to groups in Gaza and the wider region. According to the authorities, these recipient associations are "owned, controlled, or linked to Hamas."
Method of Operation and International Collaboration
The illicit funds were allegedly moved using "triangulation operations" to obscure their origin and destination. This involved routing money through bank transfers or via organisations based in other countries before finally reaching the Gaza-based groups, which Israel has outlawed due to their Hamas ties.
The investigation was a collaborative effort, with Italian prosecutors working alongside counterparts in other European Union nations. The EU officially designates Hamas as a terrorist organisation.
Official Condemnation and Wider Context
Italy's Interior Minister, Matteo Piantedosi, commented on the operation via social media platform X. He stated that the probe had "lifted the veil on behavior and activities which, pretending to be initiatives in favor of the Palestinian population, concealed support for and participation in terrorist organizations."
There has been no immediate public response from those arrested or the associations involved. This case follows a broader EU stance; in January 2025, the European Council decided to extend restrictive measures against 12 individuals and three entities accused of supporting the financing of Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad.
The arrests underscore ongoing European efforts to dismantle financial networks that support groups on its terror list, using legal frameworks to target illicit fundraising disguised as humanitarian aid.
