Rome, Italy – In a large-scale security operation described by Italian authorities as “highly significant,” the State Police and Genoa Financial Guard units executed a court order imposing precautionary measures against nine individuals and three associations, on charges of belonging to Hamas and financing terrorist activities.
Details of the operation and investigations
The operation was coordinated between the Organized Crime Unit (DIGOS) in Genoa and the Central Directorate of the Preventive Police. Specialized units from the Economic Police and the Foreign Exchange Department also participated. The operation resulted in:
The arrest of nine suspects, who are currently in custody.
The seizure of assets and property valued at over €8 million.
The investigation, overseen by Genoa’s Anti-Mafia and Terrorism Directorate, was launched following the attacks of October 7, 2023. It relied on the analysis of suspicious financial transactions detected prior to that date. Judicial authorities from the Netherlands and other EU countries collaborated in the investigation through Eurojust.
The charges and the financial mechanism
The detainees face charges under Article 270 bis of the Italian Penal Code (international terrorism). The charges focus on:
Large-scale funding: Transferring approximately €7 million to associations in Gaza, the West Bank, and Israel linked to Hamas.
Funding channels: Using three-party transactions and bank transfers through offshore associations for concealment.
Direct support: Paying money directly to leaders of the movement, including Osama Alisawi (a former minister in the Hamas government in the Gaza Strip).
Supporting the families of perpetrators: Providing aid to the families of those involved in suicide attacks or detained in terrorism cases. The investigation considered this to be a reinforcement of the criminal organization’s strategy.
Statements by the Italian Interior Minister
Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi praised the operation, noting the arrest of the network’s key figure, Mohammed Hanoun. The minister stated:
“Behind the facade of humanitarian initiatives to serve the Palestinian people, activities were uncovered that concealed support for Islamist terrorist organizations. Our government is giving this threat the utmost attention.”
Piantodosi emphasized that the Italian security services’ ability to reconstruct complex international financial flows demonstrates the global competence of the Italian police. He also stressed the government’s continued commitment to strengthening counterterrorism efforts.
