Italian authorities arrest 9 for allegedly funding Hamas through charities

ROME (AP) — Italian authorities arrested nine people linked to three charitable organizations on suspicion of raising millions of euros in funds for the Palestinian militant group Hamas, anti-terrorism prosecutors said in a statement Saturday.

The suspects are accused of sending about 7 million euros ($8.2 million) to “associations based in Gaza, the Palestinian territories, or Israel, owned, controlled, or linked to Hamas,” the statement said.

Among those arrested was Mohammad Hannoun, president of the Palestinian Association in Italy, prosecutors said, describing him as the “head of the Italian cell of the Hamas organization.”

The European Union has Hamas listed on its terror list.

According to Italian prosecutors, who collaborated with other EU countries in the probe, the illegal funds were delivered through “triangulation operations” via bank transfers or through organizations based abroad to associations based in Gaza, which have been declared illegal by Israel for their ties to Hamas.

Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi wrote on X that the operation “lifted the veil on behavior and activities which, pretending to be initiatives in favor of the Palestinian population, concealed support for and participation in terrorist organizations.”

There was no immediate comment from the suspects or the associations.

In January 202, the European Council decided to extend existing restrictive measures against 12 individuals and three entities that support the financing of Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad.

Police officers inspect a charitable association supporting Palestinian civilians in Milan, Italy, Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025 after Italian investigators have arrested nine people suspected of raising millions of euros for Hamas. (Claudio Furlan/LaPresse via AP)

Police officers inspect a charitable association supporting Palestinian civilians in Milan, Italy, Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025 after Italian investigators have arrested nine people suspected of raising millions of euros for Hamas. (Claudio Furlan/LaPresse via AP)

Police officers inspect a charitable association supporting Palestinian civilians in Milan, Italy, Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025 after Italian investigators have arrested nine people suspected of raising millions of euros for Hamas. (Claudio Furlan/LaPresse via AP)

Police officers inspect a charitable association supporting Palestinian civilians in Milan, Italy, Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025 after Italian investigators have arrested nine people suspected of raising millions of euros for Hamas. (Claudio Furlan/LaPresse via AP)

BOSTON (AP) — More than a thousand flights were canceled or delayed across the Northeast and Great Lakes regions due to snow as thousands took to U.S. roads and airports during the busy travel period between Christmas and New Year’s.

As of Saturday morning, New York City had received just under three inches of snow — roughly half of what some forecasts had predicted. At least 1,500 flights were canceled from Friday night into Saturday, according to flight-tracking service FlightAware.

Newark Liberty International Airport, John F. Kennedy International Airport and LaGuardia Airport posted snow warnings on the social media platform X on Friday, cautioning that weather conditions could cause flight disruptions.

The National Weather Service warned of hazardous travel conditions from the Great Lakes through the northern mid-Atlantic and southern New England, with the potential for tree damage and power outages. Forecasters said the storm was expected to weaken by Saturday morning.

Ahead of the storm, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency for more than half of the state. Acting New Jersey Gov. Tahesha Way declared a state of emergency for all of New Jersey, “due to a severe winter storm causing dangerous weather conditions, including heavy snow, sleet, and freezing rain.”

“This storm will cause dangerous road conditions and impact holiday travel," Way said in a statement. "We are urging travelers to avoid travel during the storm and allow crews to tend to the roads. Drivers should plan their travel accordingly, monitor conditions and road closures, and follow all safety protocols.”

FILE - Flight times are displayed at O'Hare airport in Chicago, Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh, File)