Hamas network exposed in Europe: Seven indicted for alleged weapon stockpiling and terror plot against Israeli and Jewish sites
German federal prosecutors have brought charges against seven individuals, alleging they procured weapons for the Hamas militant organization with the intent to execute terrorist attacks across Europe. This indictment has sharply brought into focus the potential danger posed by Hamas’s European network to Israeli, American, and European installations and their citizens.
The alleged plots were specifically aimed at targeting representatives of Israel, individuals of Jewish faith, or those with pro-Israel views within Germany or Austria. These planned actions were reportedly timed to coincide with the second anniversary of Hamas’s October 7, 2023, assault on Israel, with a concrete assassination attempt planned for no later than July 2025.
Allegations of a widespread network and specific targets
According to the German federal prosecutor’s office, all accused individuals are affiliated with Hamas, which is designated as a foreign terrorist organization. The organization’s military wing, known as the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, reportedly initiated the establishment of weapon caches across Europe some time ago. The seven suspects linked to these alleged activities were apprehended between October 2025 and May 2026.
The indictment detailed the identities of the suspects, revealing their nationalities and the initial letters of their last names, in adherence to German privacy laws for criminal suspects. The individuals include:
- Abed Al G., a German national
- Yousif C., a Danish national
- Borhan El-K., born in Lebanon
- Wael F.M., born in Lebanon
- Ahmad I., a German national
- Kamel M., born in Lebanon
- Mohammad S., a Bulgarian national
In a related development, a suspected Hamas operative was also arrested in Greece for allegedly planning an attack on an Israeli cruise ship, underscoring the broad scope of the alleged European plots.
Arsenal secured and intelligence concerns
Prosecutors revealed that the suspected Hamas operatives had already acquired a significant arsenal, including a functional fully automatic rifle, 13 operational pistols, and over 700 rounds of ammunition. Some of these weapons were reportedly transported to Vienna and stored there by Mohammed A., who is facing separate prosecution for his involvement.
A particularly troubling detail emerged from German media reports, indicating that one of the accused had been working as a confidential informant for Germany’s domestic intelligence agency. This informant allegedly continued reporting to their intelligence handler while simultaneously failing to disclose the full extent of their own participation in obtaining ammunition for the group. This raises serious questions about the effectiveness of intelligence oversight and potential vulnerabilities within security operations.
Germany’s historical approach and current threat assessment
Sascha Adamek, a German journalist and author, commented on what he described as a policy of previous federal governments that allowed Hamas and its front organizations to operate within Germany. Until 2023, Germany was reportedly used as a “safe haven” for fundraising, recruitment, and the radicalization of young individuals. Adamek criticized this “dirty deal”—where Hamas refrained from violence in Germany in exchange for operational freedom—as long obsolete.
Recent intelligence reports from Germany’s domestic security agency indicate a growing presence of Hamas operatives. The number increased from approximately 450 in 2023 to 550 in 2024, reaching an estimated 650 operatives in Germany during 2025, the latest year for which data is available. The report also noted the presence of around 1,250 Hezbollah operatives active in Germany, highlighting a broader landscape of extremist activity.
Official response and ongoing security measures
When questioned about allowing Hamas and Hezbollah operatives to conduct activities within its borders, the press office of the German Federal Ministry of the Interior emphasized that Hamas has been banned from operating in Germany since November 2, 2023. The ministry noted that while Hamas has a network of supporters, they have generally acted with public restraint and avoided overt connections to the organization for many years.
Regarding Hezbollah, which also faces an activity ban in Germany since April 30, 2020, the Interior Ministry stated that it is not organized under a national umbrella structure. Instead, its supporters are spread across various associations, primarily focusing on religious, cultural, and educational programs promoting conservative Islam and Shi’ite identity. The ministry acknowledged isolated instances where Hezbollah supporters in Germany have engaged in specific acts of support for the organization in Lebanon.
The Interior Ministry reiterated that federal and state security authorities consistently investigate leads concerning possible extremist activities and criminal acts, continuously evaluating all available countermeasures under the rule of law. The ministry also acknowledged that the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel and subsequent military operations in Gaza continue to affect the security situation across Germany and Europe, leading to heightened threat levels, intense pro-Palestinian protests, and corresponding agitation on social media platforms.
