Italian authorities have arrested nine people accused of diverting donations that were meant for Palestinian humanitarian aid and instead sending the funds to Hamas, which is designated a terrorist organization by the European Union.

Prosecutors say about €7 million (around $8.2 million) was allegedly raised through three Italy-based charities and funneled to Hamas-linked entities. Investigators also seized more than €8 million in assets as part of the operation.

Among those arrested is Mohammad Hannoun, described by prosecutors as the president of the Palestinian Association in Italy and a key figure in the network.