Dalena Reporters l December 27, 2025
Italian authorities have arrested nine people suspected of financing the Palestinian militant group Hamas through charitable organisations based in Italy, in a major anti‑terror and anti‑mafia operation coordinated by prosecutors and law enforcement officials, Reuters and other outlets report.
Prosecutors in the northern city of Genoa said the suspects are believed to have diverted around €7 million (about $8.24 million) raised purportedly for humanitarian aid to entities linked with Hamas, which is designated a terrorist organisation by the European Union. Police also seized more than €8 million in assets linked to the suspects.
Among those arrested was Mohammad Hannoun, president of the Palestinian Association in Italy, whom prosecutors described as “the head of the Italian cell of the Hamas organisation,” according to official statements.
The investigation began after financial authorities flagged suspicious transactions, and expanded via cooperation with Dutch authorities and the EU judicial agency Eurojust. Italian Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi said the operation uncovered activities that “pretended to support the Palestinian population but concealed support for and participation in terrorist organisations.
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni praised the complex operation, which comes amid ongoing protests in Italy over the government’s support for Israel during the conflict with Hamas in Gaza. The prime minister’s office in Jerusalem had not yet responded to requests for comment.
The arrests highlight European efforts to clamp down on terrorist financing networks and the misuse of charitable structures to channel funds to militant groups abroad.