Hamas Cell Charged in Germany for Planned Attack on Jewish Targets

German federal prosecutors have indicted seven members of Hamas, accusing them of acquiring weapons for an attack targeting Israeli and Jewish sites in Germany and Austria. The planned assault was reportedly set for the second anniversary of the October 7th Hamas attacks. Prior to their arrests, the suspects had procured an automatic rifle, 13 pistols, and over 700 rounds of ammunition. Some of the weapons were transported to Vienna and stored there by one of the suspects, who is currently detained in the UK awaiting extradition to Germany for a separate trial.

Three of the suspects were arrested in Berlin in early October 2025, just days before the intended attack date. Further arrests occurred later in Denmark and Cyprus. Investigators uncovered details from a pre-recorded confession by the suspect arrested in London, who confirmed the planned attack date was October 7th, 2025. According to German prosecutors, the plot began to materialize by July 2025, when senior Hamas officials allegedly instructed the cell to establish weapons caches in Europe and carry out assassinations of Israeli representatives, Jews, or supporters of Israel.

The accused face charges including membership in a foreign terrorist organization, preparing a serious act of violence endangering the state, and weapons offenses. German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser stated that the threat was thwarted following an extended intelligence operation by domestic security forces. Hamas has denied any connection to the arrested individuals. In a separate case in March, four other Hamas members were sentenced in Berlin for managing weapons stockpiles across Europe.