Italian authorities have detained nine individuals associated with three charitable organizations on suspicion of raising around 7 million euros (approximately $8.2 million) for Hamas. According to a statement from anti-terrorism prosecutors, these funds were allegedly funneled to various associations in Gaza, the Palestinian territories, or Israel that are owned, controlled, or linked to Hamas.

The charities involved claimed to be collecting donations for humanitarian purposes aimed at supporting the Palestinian population. However, reports indicate that over 71% of the funds were allocated for the direct financing of Hamas or related entities. Additionally, some of the money was purportedly sent to family members of individuals implicated in terrorist activities.

Among those arrested was Mohammad Hannoun, identified as the president of the Palestinian Association in Italy and described by prosecutors as the leader of the Italian cell of Hamas. The funds were reportedly transferred through complex operations involving bank transactions and foreign organizations to reach associations in Gaza, which have been deemed illegal by Israel due to their connections to Hamas.

Italian Minister of the Interior Matteo Piantedosi characterized the arrests as significant, suggesting they revealed activities that, while masquerading as humanitarian initiatives, were actually supporting terrorist organizations. Hamas has governed the Gaza Strip since 2006 and is classified as a terrorist organization by several countries and international bodies, including the United States, the United Kingdom, and the European Union.

The investigation, which included collaboration with law enforcement agencies in the Netherlands and Israel, identified the Beneficial Association of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, based in Genoa, as the primary organization under scrutiny. Authorities conducted a raid on its office in Milan as part of the investigation. Payments to these Hamas-affiliated organizations reportedly began in October 2001, with a significant increase following the October 7, 2023, terror attack in Israel.