Italian authorities arrest 9 people for allegedly funding Hamas through charities

Italian Authorities arrest nine people linked to three charities suspected of raising millions of euros for the organizations Palestine activist group Hamascounterterrorism prosecutors said in a statement on Saturday.

The suspect is accused of sending money to a “located GazaPalestinian territories or Israel own, control or have ties to Hamas,” the statement said.

Among those arrested was Mohamed Hannon, president of the Italian Palestine Association, whom prosecutors said described him as “the head of the Italian branch of the Hamas organization.”

this European Union Hamas has been added to its terrorist list.

Italian prosecutors, who are cooperating with other EU countries on the investigation, said the illicit funds were transferred via bank transfers or through “triangulation operations” organized abroad to Gaza-based associations that have been declared illegal by Israel due to their links to Hamas.

Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi wrote on

There was no immediate comment from the suspects or the association.

In January 202, the European Council decided to extend existing restrictions on 12 individuals and 3 entities supporting the financing of Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad.