Italian authorities arrest 9 people who allegedly used charities to funnel more than $8m to Hamas

Italian authorities person arrested 9 radical linked to 3 charities connected suspicion of raising millions successful funds for the violent enactment Hamas.

The suspects allegedly funneled astir 7 cardinal euros ($8.2 million) to "associations based successful Gaza, the Palestinian territories, oregon Israel, owned, controlled, oregon linked to Hamas," a connection issued by anti-terrorism prosecutors read, according to The Associated Press.

ISRAEL FM ACCUSES PALESTINIAN AUTHORITY OF AIDING TERROR WITH ‘PAY-FOR-SLAY’ AFTER DEADLY ATTACK

Police officers inspect a charitable relation supporting Palestinian civilians successful Milan connected Sat., Dec. 27, 2025, aft Italian investigators arrested 9 radical suspected of raising millions of euros for Hamas. (Claudio Furlan/LaPresse via AP)

The authoritative nonsubjective of the charities was to cod donations "for humanitarian purposes for the Palestinian people," but much than 71% of the funds were earmarked for the nonstop financing of Hamas oregon entities affiliated with the panic organization, The Times of Israel reported, citing police. The outlet noted that constabulary besides claimed that immoderate of the wealth went to "family members implicated successful violent attacks."

One of the radical arrested was Mohammad Hannoun, president of the Palestinian Association successful Italy, the AP reported, citing prosecutors. The outlet noted that prosecutors described Hannoun arsenic the "head of the Italian compartment of the Hamas organization."

Hamas terrorists basal defender connected the time of the handover of hostages held successful Gaza since the deadly Oct. 7, 2023, onslaught arsenic portion of a ceasefire and a hostages-prisoners swap woody betwixt Hamas and Israel, successful Rafah successful the confederate Gaza Strip connected Feb. 22, 2025.  (Hatem Khaled/Reuters)

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Prosecutors said that the funds were sent to the panic enactment done "triangulation operations" via slope transfers oregon done organizations based overseas to associations based successful Gaza, which person been declared amerciable by Israel for their ties to Hamas, the AP reported.

Italian Minister of the Interior Matteo Paintedosi said the apprehension cognition was "important and significant" and that it "lifted the veil connected behaviour and activities which, pretending to beryllium initiatives successful favour of the Palestinian population, concealed enactment for and information successful violent organizations."

Police officers inspect a charitable relation supporting Palestinian civilians successful Milan connected Sat., Dec. 27, 2025. (Claudio Furlan/LaPresse via AP)

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Hamas, which has ruled the Gaza Strip since 2006, is considered by galore nations and planetary institutions to beryllium a panic organization. The U.S., the U.K., Argentina, Australia, Canada, Israel and the European Union are among those that person designated Hamas arsenic a panic organization.

Fox News Digital reached retired to Israel's embassy successful Italy for comment.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.