In a significant crackdown, Italian authorities have detained nine individuals associated with three charitable organizations, accusing them of channeling millions of euros to Hamas, a group designated as a terrorist organization.
These individuals are suspected of transferring around 7 million euros (approximately $8.2 million) to groups operating in Gaza, the Palestinian territories, or Israel, which are either owned, controlled, or linked to Hamas, according to a statement from anti-terrorism prosecutors, as reported by The Associated Press.
Following the arrests, police conducted a thorough examination of a charity in Milan dedicated to aiding Palestinian civilians on Saturday, December 27, 2025. This investigation aims to uncover the extent of the alleged financial support provided to Hamas. (Claudio Furlan/LaPresse via AP)
While these charities purportedly aimed to gather donations for humanitarian aid to Palestinians, it is alleged that over 71% of these funds were actually allocated to Hamas or its affiliates, as reported by The Times of Israel, based on police claims. The police further suggested that some funds ended up with families connected to terrorist activities.
Among those apprehended was Mohammad Hannoun, who serves as the president of the Palestinian Association in Italy. Prosecutors, as cited by the AP, have identified Hannoun as leading what they describe as the “Italian cell of the Hamas organization.”
In related developments, Hamas militants were seen on duty during the exchange of hostages and prisoners between Hamas and Israel, which took place in Rafah, located in the southern Gaza Strip, on February 22, 2025. This followed the deadly October 7, 2023, attack. (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.
