Hamas Alleged to Plan Assaults in Germany

In a recent development that has raised concerns over national security, German authorities arrested an individual in Berlin who is suspected of being a Hamas operative. Documents found on the suspect’s phone indicate that they have been planning terrorist activities in Germany for several months. The suspect, who was born in Lebanon, is believed to have connections to a known terrorist stronghold, highlighting the potential international dimension of this threat.
A report by “Welt am Sonntag” has unveiled that the Islamic Palestinian group Hamas was allegedly plotting attacks against high-profile targets in Germany, including the Israeli embassy in Berlin and a US military base in Rhineland-Palatinate. The evidence, primarily found on the arrested individual’s phone, suggests that these locations might have been under surveillance as part of the preparation for the planned assaults.
The Federal Public Prosecutor General has implicated the arrested individual in a scheme to identify an arms depot for Hamas within Europe since at least the spring of 2023. The intention was reportedly to transport weapons to Berlin for potential attacks not just in Germany but elsewhere in Europe. Instructions for these activities are believed to have come from top military leaders of Hamas based in Lebanon, with three other suspected members of the Palestinian organization also arrested in connection with the search for arms depot locations.
The investigation has revealed unexpected ties between Hamas supporters in Berlin and military leaders in Lebanon, particularly to the city of Tyre, known as a stronghold for both Hamas and the Lebanese Hezbollah militia. These connections underscore the international web of support that may be facilitating Hamas’s activities.
The Federal Public Prosecutor General has remained tight-lipped about the specifics of the evidence discovered, citing the ongoing nature of the investigation. This arrest and the subsequent revelations come amid a backdrop of heightened tensions following a historic attack conducted by Hamas fighters on Israel on October 7, which resulted in over 1,170 deaths and 252 abductions, according to Israeli reports. In retaliation, Israel has launched significant military operations in the Gaza Strip, with the Ministry of Health in Gaza reporting over 35,800 fatalities, a figure that has not been independently verified.
This situation underscores the complexity and international scope of the threat posed by Hamas, prompting scrutiny of its activities and supporters beyond the Middle East, particularly within Europe.