Italian anti-terrorism prosecutors announced the arrest of nine individuals on Saturday, uncovering a sophisticated financial network allegedly funneling millions to the Palestinian militant group Hamas. The operation targeted three charitable organizations operating within Italy that prosecutors claim served as fronts for terrorist financing.
According to judicial authorities, the suspects orchestrated a complex scheme to transfer approximately €7 million ($8.2 million) to Gaza-based associations with established ties to Hamas. The European Union-designated terrorist organization has been subject to strict financial restrictions across member states.
The investigation revealed that Mohammad Hannoun, president of the Palestinian Association in Italy, allegedly served as the operational leader of what prosecutors described as “the Italian cell of the Hamas organization.” The funding mechanism involved elaborate “triangulation operations” utilizing international bank transfers and intermediary organizations based outside Italy to conceal the money’s ultimate destination.
Italian Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi characterized the operation as exposing activities that “pretended to be initiatives in favor of the Palestinian population, concealed support for and participation in terrorist organizations.” The investigation benefited from collaboration with multiple European Union counterparts, reflecting ongoing coordinated efforts to combat terrorist financing across the region.
This development follows the European Council’s January 2020 decision to extend restrictive measures against 12 individuals and three entities supporting Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad financing. The suspects and associated organizations have not issued immediate public statements regarding the allegations.