• Italian authorities arrested nine people linked to funding Hamas.
• The suspects allegedly raised around €7 million disguised as humanitarian aid.
• Interior Minister highlighted the complex fundraising operations involved.

Italian police have arrested nine individuals for suspected involvement in raising approximately €7 million (around $8 million) for the militant group Hamas. The investigation revealed that this money, collected under the premise of humanitarian aid for Palestinian civilians, was actually diverted to support Hamas operations, with over 71% of the funds specifically allocated for the group's military wing. This operation involved the utilization of three associations that, while claiming to help Palestinian citizens, were allegedly fronts for financing terrorist activities, according to Indiatimes, South China Morning Post, and BBC.

The arrests included key figures, notably Mohammad Hannoun, the president of the Palestinian Association in Italy, who is described as the head of the Italian Hamas cell. Allegations suggest that extensive fundraising tactics were employed, including bank transfers and collaborations with foreign organizations, to process these illicit funds, as highlighted by Italian anti-terrorism prosecutors. Investigations stemmed from reports of suspicious financial transactions, particularly following the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack in Israel, according to South China Morning Post and BBC.

Authorities have also seized over €8 million in assets linked to the suspects as part of the crackdown. Italian Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi emphasized the significance of unmasking these operations that operated under the disguise of humanitarian initiatives while actually supporting terrorist organizations. Piantedosi stated that the investigation aims to uphold both justice and the presumption of innocence for the involved parties, according to Indiatimes, South China Morning Post, and BBC.