Israeli Intelligence Unveils “Octopus of Hamas” Network

On Wednesday, Israeli intelligence revealed the dismantling of what has been dubbed the “Octopus of Hamas,” a terrorist network across Europe that allegedly amassed weapons for attacks on Israeli and Jewish targets during “command days.”

Mossad disclosed that a months-long investigation uncovered a terrorist infrastructure established by Hamas leaders to execute attacks aimed at Israelis and Jews within Europe. A statement was released from the Prime Minister’s Office on behalf of the spy agency.

In an unusual public briefing, Mossad acknowledged its close collaboration with European intelligence and law enforcement in arresting Hamas operatives and confiscating weapon caches throughout the continent.

The statement emphasized that European authorities conducted a series of intricate counter-terrorism operations, resulting in the apprehension of Hamas operatives and the discovery of arms that the group allegedly intended to use against civilians.

One of the significant findings was a weapons cache—including pistols and explosives—uncovered in Vienna by the Austrian National Security Intelligence Directorate last September.

During the investigation, officials identified that the cache belonged to Mohammed Naim, the son of a senior Hamas political bureau official, Bassem Naim, known to be close to Hamas leader Khalil al-Khayyya in Gaza.

Israeli intelligence further noted a meeting in Qatar between Mohammed Naim and his father in September, raising suspicions that Hamas leadership may be implicated in endorsing terrorism in Europe. This could suggest that members were authorized to facilitate attacks.

Despite previous denials aimed at maintaining the organization’s image, Mossad pointed out that the leadership’s involvement in fostering terrorist activities has been alluded to before, indicating a possible loss of control over independent operatives.

The inquiry is also examining potential connections between European operatives and Hamas elements located in Turkey, which Israeli intelligence regards as a convenient operational base for the group.

In November, German authorities apprehended Burhan al-Khatib, a key figure in the network, who had reportedly been in Turkey after Mossad finished its operations in Europe.

A month earlier, German police arrested three suspected Hamas operatives for attempting to acquire offensive weapons, discovering an AK-47, a handgun, and ammunition during the operation.

Hamas has denied involvement with the three suspects, though the German prosecutors have alleged they were acting on behalf of a terrorist organization to secure weapons for targeting Jews.

Earlier this month, authorities in Germany announced the arrest in London of a 39-year-old British man suspected of having ties to German Hamas members and alleged plans to attack Jewish targets.

German federal prosecutors revealed that the suspects had been supplied with handguns and ammunition and transported to Vienna for storage.

Austria’s national intelligence agency seized weapons in Vienna after an investigation labeled the group as a “globally active terrorist organization with close ties” to Hamas.

This February, a trial began in Berlin against four supposed Hamas members accused of plotting attacks on Jewish facilities, marking what prosecutors described as the first trial of Hamas terrorists in Germany.

Mossad indicated that European authorities are broadening their focus beyond security measures into legal and political actions, targeting Hamas-affiliated organizations that operate under the guise of humanitarian or cultural initiatives used for fundraising and recruitment.

The statement asserted that the collaboration among European security and law enforcement agencies in combating the threat posed by Hamas highlights a growing awareness of the escalating danger and a commitment to thwart the group’s activities on their soil.

Since the events of October 7, there has been an uptick in efforts from Hamas and the Iranian regime to build infrastructure and recruit terrorist groups in Europe, according to Israeli intelligence.

Mossad, alongside partners from Israel and the international intelligence community, is actively working to counter terrorism targeting Israelis, Jews, and innocent civilians worldwide, while continuing to disrupt numerous attack plots globally.

Hamas is a splinter group of the Muslim Brotherhood, an Islamist movement that has been establishing networks across Europe for decades.

A recent French government report indicated that the Muslim Brotherhood has initiated a long-term effort to infiltrate European institutions and radicalize Muslim populations, with aims to create a “fifth column” in Europe under the guise of combating “Islamophobia.”

The report also noted that Turkey provides “vital logistical and financial support” to the Brotherhood’s European branch, aligning with Mossad’s characterization of Turkey as a strategic hub for Hamas operations in Europe.

Following the report, Israel’s Diaspora Affairs Minister voiced concerns that European leaders are capitulating to the Muslim Brotherhood, asserting that the group’s parent organization has planted itself within European state institutions.

The minister suggested Jews consider leaving countries such as Britain and Belgium, expressing doubts about the safety of Jewish lives in nations that have surrendered to radical ideologies. This sentiment echoes Mossad’s recent warnings about the impending threats posed by Hamas’s “octopus” network in Europe.