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Nine Arrested in Italy for Allegedly Raising Millions for Hamas

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Italian authorities have arrested nine people accused of raising around €7 million over more than two years, allegedly funneling the funds to Hamas. The money, reportedly collected under the guise of humanitarian aid for Palestinian civilians, was instead sent to the militant group through a “complex fundraising system,” according to a police statement. More than €8 million in assets were seized as part of the investigation.

The operation was carried out jointly by Italy’s counter-terror and financial police. The probe, which began after the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack in southern Israel, identified suspicious financial transactions linked to the suspects. Investigators said the fundraising network was headquartered in Genoa with branches in Milan, and that over 71% of donations intended for Gaza civilians were diverted to Hamas’s military wing and support for families of suicide bombers or detained terrorists.

Among the arrested is Mohammad Hannoun, president of the Palestinian Association in Italy, who denied close ties to Hamas but acknowledged supporting the Palestinian cause. Italy’s Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi praised the police effort while emphasizing the presumption of innocence at this stage of the investigation. Hannoun maintained that his support is for the “legitimate resistance of the Palestinian people” and not for terrorist activities.

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Australia’s ‘Bondi Hero’ Receives $1.65 Million Raised by Global Donors

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Ahmed al Ahmed, the bystander hailed as the “Bondi hero” for disarming a gunman during a deadly mass shooting at Sydney’s Bondi Beach, has been handed more than A$2.5 million ($1.65 million) raised through an online fundraiser. Tens of thousands of people worldwide contributed to the campaign, organised by social media influencer Zachery Dereniowski, who presented the oversized cheque to Ahmed at his hospital bed.

During the attack, Ahmed hid behind parked cars before charging one of the gunmen from behind, seizing his rifle and knocking him to the ground. He was later shot by a second attacker and remains in hospital recovering from surgery. More than 43,000 donors contributed to the fundraiser, including billionaire hedge fund manager Bill Ackman, while Australia’s prime minister and state premier visited Ahmed to commend his bravery.

Speaking from hospital, Ahmed urged people to stand together and protect life, saying he acted “from the heart.” A 43-year-old tobacco store owner who migrated from Syria nearly two decades ago, Ahmed did not say how he plans to use the money. Fifteen people were killed and dozens wounded in the attack, which police allege was carried out by a father and son during Hanukkah celebrations at the popular beach.

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