Italy Arrests Nine Over Alleged Hamas Funding via Charities. Italian prosecutors arrested nine people in a coordinated anti-terrorism operation on suspicion of financing Hamas through charities operating in Italy. Authorities said the suspects allegedly belonged to and financially supported the Palestinian group, which is designated a terrorist organization by the European Union. Investigators said around 7 million euros raised over the past two years for supposed humanitarian causes were diverted to entities linked to Hamas. Police also seized assets worth more than 8 million euros as part of the operation, which was led by prosecutors in the northern city of Genoa. The investigation began after suspicious financial transactions were flagged and later expanded through cooperation with other EU states and Eurojust. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni praised the operation, calling it complex and significant in uncovering funding networks disguised as charities. Meloni’s strong support for Israel during the Gaza war has sparked repeated protests across Italy, highlighting deep domestic divisions over the conflict. The arrests come amid continued international scrutiny of alleged financial channels used to support militant groups during the Israel-Gaza war.