Italian Authorities Arrest Nine for Funding Hamas with €7 Million

In a significant counter-terrorism operation, Italian police and the Guardia di Finanza have arrested nine individuals accused of facilitating the transfer of approximately €7 million to Hamas, the militant group governing the Gaza Strip. This operation, which took place on December 28, 2025, was coordinated by anti-mafia and anti-terrorism prosecutors based in Genoa, Italy.

Key Details

The investigation revealed that the funds were funneled through three charitable organizations that were allegedly masquerading as aid groups for Palestinians. These organizations include:

• Associazione Benefica di Solidarietà con il Popolo Palestinese: Founded in Genoa in 1994, this organization was one of the primary entities involved in the funding scheme.
• Volunteer Organization: Established in 2003, this group was also implicated in the operation.
• La Cupola d"Oro Foundation: Based in Milan, this foundation was another key player in the alleged funding network.

According to investigators, over 71% of the donations collected by these organizations were diverted to entities linked to Hamas in Gaza and other locations. This included financial support for families of individuals identified as terrorists.

Among those arrested was Mohammad Hannoun, who has been described as the head of Hamas"s Italian cell. His arrest highlights the ongoing efforts by Italian authorities to dismantle networks that support terrorism.

In addition to the arrests, authorities seized assets valued at approximately €8 million, further crippling the financial capabilities of the organizations involved.

Background

The operation underscores Italy"s commitment to combating terrorism financing. The Italian government has been increasingly vigilant in monitoring charitable organizations to ensure that they do not serve as fronts for illicit activities. This crackdown is part of a broader strategy to prevent the flow of funds to terrorist organizations, particularly in light of ongoing conflicts in the Middle East.

Hamas, which has been designated as a terrorist organization by several countries, including the United States and the European Union, has faced scrutiny for its funding sources. The group"s activities in Gaza have drawn international condemnation, and operations like the one conducted by Italian authorities are crucial in disrupting their financial networks.

What"s Next

The arrests and asset seizures are expected to have significant implications for the operations of the organizations involved. Italian authorities are likely to continue their investigations to uncover additional networks that may be facilitating similar activities. The case may also prompt further scrutiny of charitable organizations operating within Italy and their financial practices.

As previously reported, the international community remains concerned about the financing of terrorist organizations and the impact of such funding on global security. This operation in Italy is a part of a larger trend of nations taking decisive action against terrorism financing, reflecting a growing recognition of the need for collaborative efforts to combat this issue.

For more information on related developments, see our coverage on mass demonstrations in Latakia, Syria and their implications for regional stability.