Hamas network discovered in counterterrorism attacks in Germany and Austria

Coordinated counterterrorism raids across Europe have revealed what Israeli authorities describe as a major Hamas network planning attacks against Israeli and Jewish civilians. This joint effort involved Mossad and several European intelligence and law enforcement agencies working in several countries.

According to the statement issued by the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office on behalf of the Mossad Intelligence and Special Operations Agency, the dismantled network was part of a broader effort by Hamas leaders to establish a terrorist infrastructure across the continent. Israeli officials call the network “the Hamas octopus,” describing operational cells, weapons hideouts and logistical channels intended to activate attacks “on command.”

A senior Israeli intelligence official familiar with the details told Fox News Digital that “there are currently active cells across Europe, already en route to targets, and the public – as well as law enforcement in these countries – need to be much more vigilant as this activity continues.” »

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Weapons, including guns and explosive materials, as well as clandestine Hamas cells ready to act “on command”, were discovered in Germany, Austria and other parts of Europe during coordinated raids carried out with Mossad, according to the Israeli prime minister’s office. (Israeli Prime Minister’s Office)

One of the crucial discoveries was made in Vienna last September, when the Austrian Security and Intelligence Services (DSN) located a weapons cache containing pistols and explosive materials. Israeli authorities say the cache belonged to Hamas member Muhammad Naim, son of a senior Hamas political office official in Gaza, Bassem Naim, described as close to Hamas leader Khalil al-Hayya.

As European agencies coordinated their investigation, Israeli officials discovered information linking Vienna’s activity to developments outside Europe. Israel says a meeting took place in Qatar in September between Muhammad Naim and his father. According to Israel, the timing suggests possible involvement of Hamas leaders abroad in the development of the network’s activities, despite repeated public denials by senior members of the movement. Israeli officials add that such denials could indicate a loss of control over “rogue agents.”

The senior Israeli intelligence official claimed that “it is no coincidence that one of the main suspects is the son of one of the most senior Hamas leaders based in Qatar.”

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Bassem Naim, senior member of the Hamas politburo and father of agent Muhammad Naim linked to the Vienna arms cache. (Israeli Prime Minister’s Office)

The investigation then expanded to Turkey, which Israeli authorities describe as “a convenient area of ​​activity for Hamas members, past and present.” European intelligence services are examining possible plots linked to Hamas and linked to agents moving into Turkish territory. In November, German authorities arrested a figure in the network, Burhan al-Khatib, after a stay in Turkey, “probably after having finished his operational activity on European soil”, according to Israel.

The top Israeli intelligence official said Turkey – despite its friendship with the White House and President Erdogan’s close ties to Washington – shows “unmistakable signs of involvement.” This includes the arrest in Germany of a Hamas member who arrived directly from Türkiye.

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Muhammad Naim, Hamas member linked to weapons cache discovered in Vienna. (Credit: Office of the Israeli Prime Minister)

Israeli officials say the multinational cooperation reflects a growing recognition in Europe of the threat posed by Hamas’ activities beyond the Middle East. They note that European agencies have recently taken additional measures targeting Hamas’s incitement and recruitment networks, including charities and religious institutions used “to raise funds and recruit operatives”, with Germany cited as a recent example.

Hamas terrorists form a formation as Palestinians gather on a street to watch the handover of three Israeli hostages to a Red Cross team in Deir el-Balah, central Gaza, February 8, 2025. (Majdi Fathi/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Mossad says it continues to work with partners around the world to prevent attacks on Israeli, Jewish and civilian targets. Since the October 7 massacre, Israel reports that Hamas has stepped up its efforts to build infrastructure abroad and that Mossad is currently working to thwart “dozens of attack plots around the world.”