Italy is seeking 18.5 million euros in compensation from Mohammad Hanoun, the President of Palestinian Association in Italy and five others.
The six allegedly raised 18 million euros for Hamas in Italy from 2001 to 2025. Prosecutors want them tried on terror charges.
Assessment
Italian prosecutors are moving to recover nearly all the money they say was funneled to Hamas through a Palestinian community leader in Italy over 24 years. The 18.5 million euro compensation claim against Mohammad Hanoun and five others signals the state sees the fundraising as a direct financial attack, not just a political crime. Watch whether the trial produces evidence of how the money moved through Italian banks and charities, and whether other European countries open similar cases.