German Authorities Arrest 3 Suspected of Planning Terrorist Attacks on Israeli or Jewish Targets
German authorities have arrested three suspects, all with ties to the Middle East, on charges of plotting terrorist attacks against Israeli or Jewish targets in Germany. The arrests, made in Berlin, follow a warning by Justice Minister Stefanie Hubig about threats to Jewish life in the country.
The suspects, a 36-year-old German citizen born in Lebanon, a 43-year-old also born in Lebanon, and a 44-year-old German citizen from Syria, are accused of procuring weapons and ammunition for Hamas, a Palestinian militant group. During their arrest, special forces seized an AK-47 assault rifle, several pistols, and a large quantity of ammunition.
This is not the first time the Federal Prosecutor's Office has taken action against suspected Hamas members. In December 2023, a similar arrest was made in Berlin and Rotterdam. However, the current search results do not reveal any direct links between the arrested suspects and the leaders of Hamas' military division.
Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt has previously warned that Germany serves as an 'action space' for terrorists. The suspects in this case have been under observation by authorities for some time, with the constitutional protection agency involved in the investigation.
The arrests come amidst growing concerns about antisemitism and terrorist threats in Germany. The suspects are accused of intending to use the seized weapons for murder attacks on Israeli or Jewish facilities. Hamas, responsible for the deadly terrorist attack on Israel in October 2023, is believed to be behind these planned attacks.
