Israel’s Mossad intelligence agency says recent Hamas terror plots foiled in Europe were planned in Qatar, with investigators also examining possible links to operatives in Turkey.
The revelation comes after a lengthy investigation, carried out alongside European authorities, that uncovered weapons caches and led to the arrest of terror suspects. The weapons were “intended for use by Hamas cells to harm innocent civilians on command.”
Earlier this month, German authorities arrested a 39-year-old British man suspected of working with Hamas members in Germany who were allegedly plotting attacks on Jewish targets. His Berlin contact, German citizen Abed Al G., was among three alleged Hamas “foreign operatives” detained in October while attempting to procure weapons for attacks. Prosecutors say he received five handguns and ammunition, which he then transported to Vienna for storage.
Mossad said the weapons seized in Vienna belonged to Muhammad Na’im, son of senior Hamas politburo official Bassem Na’im. The two met in Qatar in September.
Investigators are also examining whether Hamas members in Turkey were involved in the planning. Last year, suspected Hamas operative Burhan al-Khatib was arrested in Germany after returning from Turkey. Mossad said cooperation with European security services was essential to disrupting the network.
Authorities say Hamas has built a growing network across Europe. Raids in Germany, Austria, and the UK have uncovered weapons, operatives, and evidence of growing local support. In Germany, officials estimate there are around 32,500 foreign extremists, many aligned with Hamas, while more than 1,500 Islamist-motivated crimes were reported in 2024. Austria reported a 41.5% rise in similar offenses.
Security officials warn that extremist groups exploit open borders and online platforms to recruit young people, while uncontrolled migration has allowed operatives to move undetected across countries.
Since the October 7th, 2023, terrorist attack, Hamas has focused on building its terror network in Europe. The group maintains political offices in Qatar and Turkey, where leaders have lived in luxurious accommodations for years.
According to Mossad, the Vienna weapons cache and other European cells were intended to strike Jewish institutions “on day X,” with the aim of taking as many innocent lives as possible.
