Hamas Funded to the tune of €7 Million Through Fake Non-Profit Organizations: Nine Arrested in Italy

Nine arrests and the seizure of three associations in an operation conducted by the Genoa Police and Financial Police that dismantled an alleged Hamas financing network. Investigators reconstructed a network of transfers worth approximately seven million euros, disguised as charitable activities for the Palestinian population.

Among those arrested is Mohammad Hannoun, president of the Palestinian Association in Italy, described by investigators as a "member of the foreign branch of the terrorist organization Hamas" and "leader of the Italian cell." The arrest warrants were issued by the Genoa investigating judge at the request of the District Anti-Mafia and Counterterrorism Directorate.

The system of triangulations

The investigation, which began with the analysis of suspicious financial transactions, benefited from collaboration with other Italian investigative agencies and with authorities in the Netherlands and other European Union states.

According to investigators' reconstruction, the funds were transferred through "triangulation operations" with bank transfers to associations based abroad, then diverted to Gazan entities "declared illegal by the State of Israel because they were linked to Hamas."

In some cases, the money reportedly ended up directly in the hands of members of the Islamist movement, including Osama Alisawi, a former minister in the de facto Hamas government in Gaza, who reportedly personally solicited the financial support.

The reactions

"The veil has been torn away on behaviors that, behind the facade of initiatives in favor of the Palestinian population, concealed support for organizations with terrorist aims," ​​declared Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi, emphasizing "the government's utmost attention" to these phenomena.

A joint statement from the national anti-mafia prosecutor Giovanni Melillo and the Genoa prosecutor Nicola Piacente clarified that "the investigations cannot detract from the crimes committed against the Palestinian population after October 7, 2023, in Israeli military operations."

The magistrates added, however, that "such crimes cannot justify the terrorist acts committed by Hamas against the civilian population."

The operation was carried out by the Digos (Special Operations Division) and the Economic and Financial Police Unit of Genoa, together with the Special Unit of the Currency Police of the Guardia di Finanza.