The Hamas-directed weapons network is operating in Germany, the Netherlands, Cyprus, the United Kingdom and Austria, according to officials.
By Shula Rosen
German authorities have secured the arrest of a Danish national near Copenhagen as part of a multinational investigation into an alleged Hamas-linked weapons procurement network that authorities believe was preparing for possible attacks against Jewish and Israeli targets in Europe.
The suspect, identified as Yousif C., was taken into custody by Danish police under an international warrant issued by German prosecutors, the German Federal Prosecutor’s Office announced.
Investigators allege he supplied five pistols and ammunition to another member of the network.
Authorities describe the case as part of a wider European counterterrorism operation.
The arrest is the eighth connected to an alleged Hamas-directed weapons network operating across several countries, including Germany, the Netherlands, Cyprus, the United Kingdom and Austria.
German prosecutors allege Yousif C. provided the firearms and ammunition to Abdel al-G. in July.
Abdel al-G., who was arrested on October 1, allegedly transferred the weapons to Mohammed A., a British citizen arrested in London in November.
According to the allegations, Mohammed A. met Abdel al-G. during the summer and received weapons intended for transport and storage in Austria. Die Welt reported that Mohammed A. is the son of Hamas official Bassem Naim.
Investigators suspect the network was involved in collecting and storing weapons for potential assassination attacks targeting Israeli or Jewish institutions in Europe.
In November, Austria’s Directorate of State Protection and Intelligence Service announced the discovery of a cache containing five handguns and 10 magazines inside a suitcase stored in a rented unit in Vienna. Authorities said the weapons were linked to an alleged Hamas plot.
The investigation has also led to arrests in other countries.
In March, Lebanese national Kamel M. was arrested at Larnaca Airport after German authorities searched his apartment.
He is accused of sending 300 rounds of ammunition to Abdel al-G. through Mohammad S., who was arrested at Berlin Brandenburg Airport after arriving from Beirut in January.
Another suspect, Borhan El-K., was arrested in November while entering Germany from Czechia. Authorities allege he supplied Wael F. M. with a Kalashnikov rifle, eight Glock pistols and 600 rounds of ammunition.
Four principal suspects connected to the alleged weapons caches are currently jailed in Berlin awaiting trial.
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