Overview
- Italian anti-terrorism authorities detained seven suspects in Italy and sought two more abroad, implicating nine people in total.
- Investigators allege roughly €7 million was sent to associations in Gaza, the Palestinian territories or Israel owned, controlled or linked to Hamas.
- Police said more than 71% of the donations were directed to Hamas or affiliated entities, with some payments reaching family members tied to terrorist attacks.
- Among those arrested is Mohammad Hannoun, described by prosecutors as the head of the Hamas organization’s Italian cell and president of the Palestinian Association in Italy.
- Prosecutors detailed “triangulation” transfers via banks and intermediary groups overseas, with cooperation from other EU countries, and officials noted Hamas is on the EU terror list.