Germanyโ Prosecutes Alleged Hamasโ Members in Plot to Attack European Targets
BERLIN – A trial is underway in Germany involving four alleged โHamas members accused of preparing for attacks โคagainst Israeli and Jewish targets across Europe. Theโฃ suspects wereโค arrested in December 2023 on suspicion of organizing and stockpiling โฃweapons in preparation for potential attacks.
The โcase is considered a landmarkโ prosecution, representingโ a pilot effort by Germanโ authorities to dismantle Hamas infrastructure within Europe. Prosecutors allege the menโฃ were โtasked with โฃlocating existing weaponsโ caches established years prior,โ as well as creating new ones, to be used in future attacks. The alleged preparations coincided with โฃthe period leading up to the October 7, 2023, Hamas-ledโค attack on southern Israel, which killedโฃ approximately 1,200 people and led to the abduction of 251 others.
According to prosecutors, all four defendants held significant positions โคwithin Hamas. They are accused of seeking weapons to be usedโ against Israeli and Jewish sites on the continent. The inquiry revealed theโข alleged movement of weapons throughout Europeโ in anticipation of the October 7th attacks.
The trial began in February and remains ongoing. โฃThe arrests followed heightened security alerts across Europe in the wakeโค of the โฃOctober 7th attacks, prompted by a surge inโ antisemitic violence. European police forces increased security and patrols around Jewish and Israeli sites.
Theโข conflict between Hamas and Israel continues, with Israel’s military campaignโข in Gaza resulting in over 66,000 Palestinian deaths and nearly 170,000 injuries, accordingโ toโ the Gaza โHealth Ministry.โฃ Approximately 48 โhostagesโฃ remain held โinโค Gaza, with around 20โค believed toโ be alive.