Italian authorities have arrested nine people accused of funneling millions of dollars to Hamas by disguising the funds as humanitarian aid, according to Italian police and government officials.

In a statement issued Saturday, police said the suspects allegedly raised about $8 million for organizations based in Gaza, the Palestinian territories, or Israel that were “owned, controlled, or linked to Hamas.” Three associations that claimed to be supporting Palestinian civilians are also under investigation, with authorities saying they were used as fronts to channel money to the militant group.

Investigators said more than 71 percent of the funds were ultimately intended to finance Hamas, including financial support for the families of individuals involved in terrorist attacks, Agence France-Presse reported.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni welcomed the arrests, thanking law enforcement agencies for the operation that led to the takedown of the alleged network.

“I express my most heartfelt thanks, both personal and on behalf of the entire Government, to all those who made this operation possible,” Meloni said in a social media post.

Among those arrested was Mohammad Hannoun, president of the Palestinian Association in Italy, according to Italian Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi. Italian investigators described Hannoun as a key figure in what they called an Italy-based Hamas network.

Hannoun had previously been designated by the United States Treasury in 2024 for allegedly sending millions of dollars to Hamas over a 10-year period. His charity was described by U.S. authorities as a sham organization that appeared to raise humanitarian aid but instead helped bankroll Hamas’ military wing.