Italy: They raised millions of euros for Hamas – and were arrested

A report in Italy: nine people were arrested by the police – on suspicion of raising millions of euros for the terrorist organization Hamas. According to the local media, the money was transferred through various associations to organizations in Gaza with ties to Hamas.

Among those arrested in Italy is also Muhammad Hanon, the president of the “Palestinian Association in Italy”. The researchers describe him as a “member of the foreign branch of the terrorist organization Hamas”, and as the “leader of the Italian cell” of Hamas.

The investigation by the Italian authorities was opened following suspicious financial transactions. The professionals in Italy also contacted the authorities in the Netherlands and other countries in the European Union. The detainees are suspected of “contributing to the criminal activity of the terrorist organization, in the total amount of seven million euros”.

The funds themselves were apparently sent via bank transfers. They were transferred from associations based abroad – to Gazan associations that were declared illegal. According to Israel, those associations belong to Hamas, were controlled by it or connected to it in some other way.

“The veil has been torn over behaviors and activities behind the facade of initiatives for the benefit of the Palestinian population,” stated Interior Minister Matteo Piantadosi. “They hid support for terrorist organizations. This is a danger to which our government devotes the utmost attention.”