Hamas Figure's Ex-Bodyguard Granted UK Citizenship Amid Terror Plot Allegations

A former bodyguard for Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, identified only as "Mr. X" for legal reasons, has been granted political asylum and British citizenship, the Sunday Times reported on September 27. The report alleges that "Mr. X," who is the son of a senior Hamas official, was involved in planning a terrorist attack against Jews in a European capital in the lead-up to the second anniversary of the October 7th massacre. Sources in security services indicate "Mr. X" was part of Haniyeh's security detail from 2006. He was previously arrested in Egypt between 2009 and 2012 on suspicion of smuggling weapons and gold into Gaza. After leaving Gaza in 2012, his movements were unknown until he arrived in the UK in 2015 and applied for refugee status.

Despite his background being known to intelligence agencies, the UK Home Office granted his asylum request and later citizenship. Operating under the guise of an IT consultant in a suburb of a major English city, "Mr. X" reportedly changed his name multiple times, participated in anti-Israel demonstrations, and founded several companies. In November 2025, he was arrested in London following intelligence shared by Mossad and German security services, who uncovered his plot to attack Jewish community centers, Israeli diplomats, and pro-Israel demonstrators in Germany or Austria.

A joint operation involving German, Austrian, Danish, and British intelligence led to the arrest of seven suspects and the seizure of weapons and ammunition. "Mr. X" faces charges in Germany related to arms smuggling. He is also reported to have recorded a video, masked and armed with a Hamas flag, describing the planned attack as an "act of revenge" for the militant wing. Another video, apparently filmed in Vienna, indicated the attack was timed to coincide with the second anniversary of October 7th, providing crucial context for German authorities. The arrested group included German, Lebanese, Bulgarian, and Danish nationals.

The report also briefly mentions the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran in late July 2024, following his participation in an inauguration ceremony. Initial reports of a missile strike were later clarified to indicate an explosion from a remotely detonated device planted in his guest complex.