Suspected Accomplice Arrested for Supplying Weapons to Hamas in Germany

Authorities in Germany have apprehended another individual believed to be involved in the procurement and delivery of weapons intended for Hamas. The arrest took place Thursday morning, when officers from the Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) and the Federal Police detained Mahmoud Z., a man of Lebanese origin, as he entered Germany by train from Denmark, near the city of Flensburg.

This latest arrest follows a series of detentions connected to an alleged network suspected of supplying arms to Hamas, the Palestinian group classified as a terrorist organization by the European Union. In early October, three suspected Hamas operatives were arrested in Berlin. More recently, authorities detained another alleged accomplice, Borhan El-K., earlier this week.

According to the Federal Prosecutor's Office, Mahmoud Z. is suspected of assisting in the acquisition and transfer of firearms and ammunition. Investigations suggest that in August, in the German federal state of Hesse, Mahmoud Z. received a cache of weapons from Borhan El-K., including a fully automatic rifle, eight pistols, and over 600 rounds of ammunition. These weapons were subsequently delivered to a contact in Berlin who was detained in October, at which point the firearms were seized.

The current investigation indicates that the weapons were intended for potential attacks targeting Israeli or Jewish institutions within Germany and possibly elsewhere in Europe. Authorities believe these actions were part of broader efforts by Hamas to expand its operational capacity outside the Middle East, raising concerns about the security of Jewish communities and Israeli interests in Europe.

Following his arrest, Mahmoud Z. is scheduled to appear before the investigating judge at the Federal Court of Justice, who will determine whether he should remain in custody pending further legal proceedings. His alleged accomplice, Borhan El-K., was placed in pre-trial detention earlier this week. The charges against Mahmoud Z. include violations of the War Weapons Control Act and German firearms legislation.

The investigation is part of a coordinated European effort to combat terrorism and disrupt networks that provide logistical support to extremist groups. Authorities have emphasized the cross-border nature of these criminal activities. Last week, another suspect, Mohammed A., a British national, was arrested in London. He is accused of receiving weapons from one of the Berlin suspects and storing them in Austria, highlighting the transnational aspects of the network under scrutiny.

Security services continue to assess the level of threat posed by such terrorist cells in Germany and across Europe. The ongoing probe has led to increased vigilance and cooperation between German law enforcement, European agencies, and international partners. Intelligence agencies, including the Israeli Mossad, are reported to have played a role in alerting German authorities to the activities of the group operating in Berlin.

Officials have reiterated their commitment to preventing attacks and protecting vulnerable communities. The recent arrests underscore the challenges posed by clandestine arms trafficking and the importance of international collaboration in counterterrorism efforts. Investigations are ongoing, with authorities pursuing leads both in Germany and abroad to dismantle the alleged network linked to Hamas.