Osama Alisawi

Osama Alisawi, alias Abu Obaida, is a member of the Hamas terrorist organization, within which he reportedly held the position of Minister of Transport in the de facto government of the Gaza Strip. He is also President of the Islamic Bloc of the Engineers’ Union and a member of the board of the Engineers’ Union.

Alisawi is identified among the co-founders of the Associazione Benefica di Solidarietà con il Popolo Palestinese (ABSPP), established in 1994, and he served as the association’s delegate for the management of bank accounts from 2001 to 2009, in coordination with Mohammad Hannoun and other individuals operating within the structure and related associations. In this context, he is alleged to have promoted funding activities in support of Hamas, receiving directly or indirectly—through entities linked to or controlled by the organization—funds estimated at approximately €7,288,248.15 in total.

Although his current role is not fully defined, Alisawi is described by Hannoun as his representative in Gaza. Regardless of the formal classification of his position, case law referenced in Judgment No. 11664 of February 18, 2016 of the Italian Supreme Court establishes that criminal liability for participation also arises in the presence of any material or moral contribution carried out on Italian territory.

Investigative findings indicate that Alisawi operates from Gaza in constant contact with the Italian network, and is the recipient of substantial financial transfers from Italy, estimated at over two million dollars. These financial flows are allegedly linked to the activities of associations connected to Hannoun’s network.

From a communications standpoint, in the intercepted messages Alisawi frequently uses expressions and symbols associated with the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, including the hashtag “#tunnelman,” which is linked to the organization’s propaganda.

On October 7, 2023, Alisawi published two posts expressing support for the Hamas-led attack, accompanied by the phrase “God is the greatest,” which investigators interpret as ideological alignment and celebration of the event.

Additional elements point to his operational role in financial coordination within the network, including the transmission to Hannoun of the necessary banking details for executing transfers intended for the Engineers’ Union.

Following Operation “Dominio” in 2025, an arrest warrant has been issued.