Federal Prosecutors Detain Additional Suspect in Hamas Weapons Procurement Case
German federal authorities have apprehended another individual suspected of involvement in the procurement and concealment of weapons potentially intended for attacks by the Hamas organization. The latest arrest was made by federal police and criminal investigators as the suspect entered Germany from Denmark by train near Flensburg. This development is part of an expansive investigation into alleged supporters and members of Hamas believed to have facilitated the transfer and storage of firearms within Germany and beyond.
According to official statements, the detained individual is accused of accepting weaponry from an alleged Hamas affiliate in the state of Hesse and subsequently transporting these arms to Berlin for delivery to another suspected group member. Both of these associates have already been taken into custody, one in early October and the other more recently. Following his initial detention, the newly arrested suspect will be brought before a federal judge to determine whether a formal arrest warrant and pre-trial detention will be issued. The charges against him include suspected violations of German weapons laws.
Authorities are investigating whether the weapons were intended for attacks targeting Israeli or Jewish institutions within Germany or elsewhere in Europe. Earlier in the week, law enforcement officials detained another alleged Hamas member upon his return to Germany from the Czech Republic. This individual is suspected of organizing the acquisition of firearms with the possible aim of carrying out lethal attacks against Israeli or Jewish targets. The Danish police also conducted searches at properties linked to the suspects in and around Copenhagen as part of the coordinated effort.
The latest detentions are directly connected to a series of arrests conducted in early October, during which three individuals suspected of acting as foreign operatives for Hamas were taken into custody in Berlin. These suspects allegedly played key roles in acquiring firearms, pistols, and ammunition for the organization. At the time of their arrest, investigators indicated that the group had not yet formalized a specific attack plan. All three remain in pre-trial detention as the broader investigation continues.
Further developments in the cross-border investigation have been reported in Austria, where security services recently uncovered a cache of weapons in Vienna. Authorities there seized five handguns and ten magazines, believed to be connected to the same network under scrutiny in Germany. In addition, law enforcement in London arrested a man suspected of transporting and storing weapons on behalf of Hamas in Vienna. Plans are underway for this individual to be extradited to Germany to face charges linked to the broader case.
The ongoing investigation highlights the extensive reach and complexity of efforts by European authorities to disrupt the logistical and operational networks of organizations such as Hamas. The coordinated actions between Germany, Denmark, Austria, and the United Kingdom underscore a joint commitment to preventing acts of violence and ensuring the security of potential targets across the continent. The case remains active as prosecutors and police agencies analyze evidence and pursue further leads.