Germany arrests eighth member of Hamas network seeking to attack Israeli, Jewish sites in Europe

Authorities have arrested an eighth individual in connection with a Hamas network allegedly plotting attacks against Israeli and Jewish targets across Europe. The latest arrest occurred near Copenhagen, Denmark, where Danish police apprehended Yousif C. on a warrant issued by German prosecutors.

German prosecutors allege that Yousif C. provided five pistols and ammunition to another alleged Hamas member, Abdel Al G., in July. Abdel Al G. was arrested on October 1 and had reportedly given the firearms to Mohammed A., a British citizen arrested in London in November. Mohammed A. had allegedly met with Abdel Al G. during the summer to receive weapons for transport and storage in Austria. German newspaper Die Welt has identified the British man as the son of Hamas official Bassem Naim.

The alleged plot was uncovered in November when the Austrian Directorate of State Protection and Intelligence Service found a cache of five handguns and 10 magazines in a rented Vienna storage unit. These weapons were reportedly part of the alleged Hamas plot. Further arrests have been made in connection with the network, including Kamel M. at Larnaca airport in Cyprus and Borhan El-K. upon entering Germany from the Czech Republic. These individuals are accused of supplying ammunition and firearms to other alleged operatives within the network.