(ConservativeInsider.org) – On Thursday, December 14, German authorities arrested four individuals linked to Hamas, accusing them of planning attacks on Jewish institutions in the region. This marks the first indication that tensions from the Gaza conflict may extend beyond the Middle East.
The recent arrests represent the first case since the start of the Gaza war where authorities allege the discovery of a Hamas plot targeting Europe. Although security officials acknowledge the group’s long-standing activity in Europe, they suggest that, until now, the region has primarily served as a logistical base and a source of financing rather than a potential target for terrorism.
According to Germany’s federal prosecutor, in June, at the direction of Hamas leaders in Lebanon, one of the men began searching for a concealed weapons cache assembled by the organization.
The prosecutor stated that the weapons were intended to be taken to Berlin for a potential attack on Jewish institutions in Europe. European security officials have heightened their vigilance since Hamas carried out attacks on southern Israel on October 7.
A German prosecutor reported that in October, Abdelhamid Al A, of Lebanese descent, along with two accomplices, Mohamed B. and Nazih R., traveled from Berlin across the region to collect weapons. They were assisted by a third man known as Ibrahim El-R. All four individuals had been long-time members of Hamas, involved in the group’s activities abroad, and connected to its military leaders, the Izz ad-Dine al-Qassam Brigades, as stated by the prosecutor.
Mohamed B. and Abdelhamid Al A. were detained in Berlin, and Nazih R. was arrested in Rotterdam by Dutch police based on an arrest warrant. Ibrahim El-R is currently under provisional arrest, awaiting a federal judge’s decision on a possible arrest warrant, which is expected on Friday.
Although Hamas hasn’t been directly connected with recent attacks in Europe, three radicals who pledged their loyalty to the Islamic terrorist group have carried out separate attacks in the region since October 7.
Large protests have erupted in European cities following the October 7 attack and Israel’s military incursion into Gaza. Some demonstrators support Israel, while a more significant number, mainly pro-Palestinian activists, condemn civilian casualties in the enclave.
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