German authorities, in a sweeping counter-terrorism operation, have arrested three men suspected of planning attacks against Jewish and Israeli targets on behalf of Hamas, marking a dramatic escalation in efforts to thwart extremist violence within the country. The arrests, which took place on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, in Berlin, were the result of a months-long investigation involving both German and Israeli intelligence services, and have sent ripples across Europe amid already heightened security concerns.
According to the German Federal Prosecutor General, the suspects—identified as Abed Al G., a 36-year-old German citizen of Lebanese descent; Wael F. M., a 43-year-old stateless man born in Lebanon; and Ahmad I., a 44-year-old German national originally from Syria—were apprehended during a police operation targeting a weapons handover. German law restricts full name disclosure, but these partial names have been released in line with privacy regulations. The suspects are accused of being active members of Hamas since at least the summer of 2025 and of preparing serious acts of violence endangering the state.
Investigators allege that the three men were tasked by Hamas leaders with acquiring firearms and ammunition in Germany, with the ultimate goal of using them in attacks against Jewish and Israeli sites. During the arrests, law enforcement officers uncovered an arsenal that included an AK-47 assault rifle, several pistols, and hundreds of rounds of ammunition. Searches were also conducted in the towns of Leipzig—where one suspect resides—and Oberhausen in North Rhine-Westphalia, as part of the broader investigation.
German Federal Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt, who visited Israel earlier this year, emphasized the seriousness of the plot. "We assume that this threat was concrete," Dobrindt stated, noting that Wael F. M. had known ties to Hamas and was considered highly dangerous and emotionally unstable. Authorities had closely monitored Wael F. M. since his entry into Germany in the summer of 2025, observing him meeting with contacts in forested areas at night, where suspicious items believed to be weapons and ammunition were exchanged.
The suspects’ backgrounds shed light on the complexities of integration and security in Germany. One of the German citizens reportedly immigrated from Syria in 2005 and was naturalized in 2016, while the other entered Germany in 2012 and received citizenship in 2021. The entry of Wael F. M. into Germany triggered alarm bells among security forces, given his status as a known terror suspect.
On Thursday, October 2, 2025, a German judge ordered pre-trial detention for the three suspects, who are scheduled to appear before the Federal Court of Justice. The legal proceedings will determine whether formal arrest warrants will be issued, potentially paving the way for a high-profile trial.
The arrests come at a time of heightened vigilance across Europe, triggered by the ongoing war between Hamas and Israel in Gaza, which began on October 7, 2023. German authorities have repeatedly warned of rising threats against Jewish communities and institutions since the conflict erupted. Justice Minister Stefanie Hubig underscored the government’s stance, declaring, "There is no place for hatred against Jews in Germany."
The operation that led to the arrests was not an isolated effort. According to The Times of Israel and All Israel News, the Mossad—Israel’s foreign intelligence agency—played a pivotal role, working in close coordination with German security and intelligence services. The Mossad confirmed that the effort to disrupt the Hamas-linked cell spanned several countries and was part of an extensive campaign across Europe to locate weapons caches and apprehend suspects involved in terrorist offenses. The operation even extended to Austria, where similar actions were taken to foil terror plots.
German domestic intelligence (BFV) reported that the suspects were found with weapons believed to be intended for attacks against Jewish and Israeli targets. The federal prosecutor’s office stated, "During today's arrests, various weapons, including an AK-47 assault rifle and several pistols, and a significant amount of ammunition were found." Investigators believe the suspects had been actively procuring firearms and ammunition for Hamas since at least the summer of 2025, with the intention of carrying out assassinations targeting Israeli or Jewish institutions in Germany.
Despite the mounting evidence and international cooperation, Hamas has vehemently denied any connection to the terror cell. In a statement, the group asserted, "The claim that the detainees have links to Hamas is without any foundation and aims to besmirch the movement's reputation and undermine the German people's sympathy for our Palestinian people. We wish to limit the 'fight against the Zionist occupation' exclusively to Palestine." Hamas further accused authorities of attempting to undermine German solidarity with the Palestinian cause, insisting that its armed struggle remains confined to Israel and the Palestinian territories.
The arrests in Germany were followed, just hours later, by a deadly attack in the United Kingdom, where a Syrian-British man murdered two Jews in a Manchester synagogue. Israeli authorities believe this attack could also be linked to Hamas, according to Channel 12 News. This sequence of events has intensified concerns about the reach of terror networks and the vulnerability of Jewish communities across Europe.
The German arrests are not the first instance of authorities disrupting Hamas operations on European soil. In February 2025, a trial began in Berlin against four Hamas members accused of planning attacks on Jewish institutions in Europe, marking the first such court case in Germany. During the broader investigations, police discovered several weapons depots belonging to Hamas across the continent, underscoring the persistent threat posed by the organization’s international networks.
While the exact target of the planned attack in Germany has not yet been established, authorities remain on high alert. The case highlights the ongoing challenges faced by European nations in balancing security, integration, and civil liberties amid a turbulent geopolitical landscape.
As the suspects await further legal proceedings, German officials have reiterated their commitment to protecting Jewish communities and combating extremism. The joint efforts of German and Israeli intelligence demonstrate a willingness to cross borders and share information in the fight against terrorism. The outcome of this case—and the broader campaign against Hamas-linked operations in Europe—will be closely watched by governments and communities alike, as the continent grapples with the ever-present threat of extremist violence.
For now, the swift action by German authorities, in concert with international partners, has likely averted a potential tragedy, while raising difficult questions about the roots and reach of terror in modern Europe.
