Israel : helps Italy arrest a Hamas leader and six other people, dealing a blow to the organization’s infrastructure in Europe

Israel : The Israeli government announced Sunday night that, in what it described as “a blow to Hamas’ infrastructure in Europe,” the investigation and arrest of Muhammad Hanun, the leader of Hamas in Italy, and six other senior Hamas officials there, including a member of Hamas’s leadership on the continent and a senior figure in Hamas’s leadership in Europe, were the result of Israeli assistance with information and evidence for law enforcement in Italy.

As part of an investigation aimed at Hamas infrastructure in Italy, a joint task force comprising the Economic Counterterrorism Headquarters (ECT) in Israel’s Ministry of Defense, the Intelligence/CEO Division of the Israel Police, the IDF (Israel Defence Forces) Intelligence Division, and the Shin Bet (Israel’s anti-terror General Security Service) sent information and evidence to Italian law enforcement authorities via recognized and approved channels.

Italian law enforcement officials confiscated property, cash, and valuables during the operation. It is alleged that individuals involved engaged in a systematic effort to gather and move money to the military and civilian branches of Hamas, a group that has been branded a terrorist organization.

Israel Katz, the country’s defense minister, said that “Hamas terrorists and all those who seek our harm do not and will not have a safe haven – neither in the Middle East nor in Europe.” “The State of Israel is determined to take action against all terrorists and those who support terrorism. It is erroneous for anybody to believe that they may fund terrorists and hide abroad.