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Italian authorities have apprehended nine individuals associated with three charitable organizations, alleging their involvement in channeling millions of euros to the terrorist group Hamas.
According to anti-terrorism prosecutors, the suspects are accused of transferring around 7 million euros, equivalent to $8.2 million, to organizations in Gaza, the Palestinian territories, or Israel that are either owned by, controlled by, or linked to Hamas. This information was reported by The Associated Press.
On Saturday, December 27, 2025, police officers conducted an inspection of a Milan-based charitable association that supports Palestinian civilians, following the arrest of nine individuals accused of funneling millions of euros to Hamas. (Claudio Furlan/LaPresse via AP)
Although these charities publicly aimed to gather donations for humanitarian aid to the Palestinian people, investigations revealed that over 71% of the funds were allocated directly to Hamas or its affiliated entities. This was reported by The Times of Israel, which also cited police claims that some funds were directed to family members involved in terrorist activities.
Among those detained was Mohammad Hannoun, the president of the Palestinian Association in Italy. Prosecutors, as reported by the AP, identified Hannoun as the leader of the Italian branch of the Hamas organization.
Hamas terrorists stand guard on the day of the handover of hostages held in Gaza since the deadly Oct. 7, 2023, attack as part of a ceasefire and a hostages-prisoners swap deal between Hamas and Israel, in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip on Feb. 22, 2025. (Hatem Khaled/Reuters)
Prosecutors said that the funds were sent to the terror organization through “triangulation operations” via bank transfers or through organizations based abroad to associations based in Gaza, which have been declared illegal by Israel for their ties to Hamas, the AP reported.
Italian Minister of the Interior Matteo Piantedosi said the arrest operation was “important and significant” and that it “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.”
Police officers inspect a charitable association supporting Palestinian civilians in Milan on Sat., Dec. 27, 2025. (Claudio Furlan/LaPresse via AP)
Hamas, which has ruled the Gaza Strip since 2006, is considered by many nations and international institutions to be a terror organization. The U.S., the U.K., Argentina, Australia, Canada, Israel and the European Union are among those that have designated Hamas as a terror organization.
Fox News Digital reached out to Israel’s embassy in Italy for comment.