Seven individuals, including four alleged Hamas members, were apprehended in Denmark, Germany, and the Netherlands on suspicion of planning attacks on Jewish institutions in Europe. The arrests coincide with Israel’s ongoing efforts to combat Hamas in the Gaza Strip, sparked by a cross-border assault on Israeli towns on October 7 by Palestinian Islamist militants.
German prosecutors stated that three suspects were detained in Berlin, and another in the Netherlands, all identified as longstanding members of Hamas with close ties to the group’s military leadership. Despite this, a Hamas official denied any connection between the detainees and the organization.
In Denmark, three individuals face charges under the terrorism clause of the criminal code, and they will undergo preliminary questioning before a judge. The arrestees include Dutch national Nazih R in Rotterdam and Lebanon-born Abdelhamid Al A, Ibrahim El-R, and Egyptian national Mohamed B in Berlin.
According to German prosecutors, Abdelhamid Al A had been tasked by Hamas leaders in Lebanon to source weapons, which were intended for transport to Berlin and kept ready for potential terrorist attacks against Jewish institutions.
German Justice Minister Marco Buschmann emphasized the need for heightened security measures, citing increased attacks on Jews in the country following recent events involving Hamas and Israel. However, a Hamas official, Sami Abu Zuhri, denied any association of the detainees with Hamas, attributing the allegations to an attempt to influence pro-Palestinian rallies in Europe.
Dutch police arrested a 57-year-old man in Rotterdam, as requested by German authorities in a Danish-German investigation. Israel’s Mossad spy agency commended Denmark for exposing what they termed as “Hamas infrastructure on European soil.”
As investigations continue, Danish police announced an increase in public presence, particularly in Copenhagen and around Jewish localities. The Jewish Community in Denmark, while briefed about the raids, has no knowledge of specific threats to Jewish targets at this time.
