The Israeli Prime Minister’s office, acting on behalf of Mossad, revealed Wednesday a large-scale international operation aimed at neutralizing Hamas terrorist infrastructure located in the heart of Europe. The result of a long-term investigation and close cooperation between European intelligence services and security forces, this offensive led to the seizure of weapons caches and the arrest of several active members of the Islamist terrorist movement.
In Germany, Austria, and other countries, coordinated raids have led to the discovery of clandestine cells ready to act “on command.” In Vienna, an operation conducted in September by the Austrian intelligence service (DSN) resulted in the seizure of pistols and explosive devices intended for attacks against Israeli and Jewish targets.
According to investigators, this cache belonged to Muhammad Naim, son of Bassem Naim, a senior Hamas official and close associate of the movement’s leader in Gaza, Khalil al-Haya. A meeting between father and son in Qatar in September suggests the direct involvement of Hamas’s political leadership in planning attacks on European soil, despite repeated denials.
The investigation also explores a Turkish aspect: an important member of the network, Burhan al-Khatib, was arrested in Germany after a stay in Turkey, long considered a privileged area of activity for Hamas.
For Mossad, this case illustrates the scale of the threat and the growing importance of international cooperation. Since October 7, Hamas has intensified its efforts to establish operational cells in Europe, mirroring Iran and its proxies, according to the Israeli agency, which claims to continue thwarting “dozens of plots” around the world.
