Nine Arrested in Italy After Raising $8 Million For Hamas

Nine people have been arrested in Italy after raising over $8 million through charities to fund Hamas.

According to local police, the culprits raised €7 million ($8.2 million) through three organizations under the name of charity, which they then sent to several establishments in Gaza that have been linked to terrorist group Hamas.

Italian authorities worked with officials from several other European Union member nations – primarily the Netherlands – to uncover the scandal, where the fraudsters indirectly sent the money they raised to Hamas after claiming that the money would assist humanitarian efforts in Palestine. The bank transfers were flagged down as suspicious before being investigated, later revealing the finance operation.

AP confirmed that one of those arrested was Mohammad Hannoun, who serves as the president of the Palestinian Association in Italy.

According to the Times of Israel, around 71% of the money raised was sent to Hamas, making up the aforementioned $8.2 million, while the rest went to actual causes.

Nevertheless, the discovery is sure to spark further controversy over Israel's war in Gaza, which continues despite US President Donald Trump's ceasefire. Over 71,000 people have been injured in the Israel-Hamas War so far, and Israeli strikes, operations, and bombings in Gaza have resumed, going against their ceasefire with Palestine. Meanwhile, external organizations continue to fund Hamas, an Islamic terrorist organization, which has rebelled against Israel and caused more violence in the region.

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Image credit to AP