Overview
- Italian police detained seven suspects and sought two others abroad as part of an anti-terror financing investigation announced on Dec. 27.
- Authorities allege the funds moved through three associations that presented themselves as raising money for Palestinian civilians.
- Police say roughly €7 million was channelled to entities in Gaza, the Palestinian territories, or Israel that were owned, controlled, or linked to Hamas.
- More than 71% of collected donations was allegedly directed to the direct financing of Hamas or affiliated entities rather than humanitarian aid.
- Media reports named Mohammad Hannoun, president of the Palestinian Association in Italy, among those arrested, as the interior minister publicly lauded the operation.