Multiple Arrests Made in Europe in Connection to Hamas-Affiliated Terrorist Cell

Several arrests have taken place in Denmark, Germany, and the Netherlands in connection to a Hamas-affiliated terrorist cell, raising concerns among leaders and law enforcement officials in Israel, Denmark, and Germany. The Office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, together with German and Danish law enforcement agencies, revealed on Thursday the details of an operation that resulted in the arrest of multiple individuals accused of plotting terrorist attacks.

The Prime Minister's office stated that Danish security and enforcement agencies had arrested seven terrorist operatives acting on behalf of Hamas, thwarting an attack aimed at killing innocent citizens on European soil. Hamas, a terrorist organization, has been increasingly expanding its operational capabilities worldwide, particularly in Europe, with the aim of targeting Israeli, Jewish, and Western targets.

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, addressing the press, described the terrorist plot as "extremely serious." The Danish police had arrested several individuals allegedly linked to the plot, and Denmark's national terror threat level had been raised to level four, the second-highest classification.

German officials reported the arrest of three Hamas members within their own borders and one in Rotterdam, Netherlands. The suspects arrested in Berlin were identified as Abdelhamid Al A. and Ibrahim El-R. from Lebanon, as well as Mohamed B. from Egypt. Only the first letter of the suspects' last names was provided, in accordance with German law.

German Justice Minister Marco Buschmann expressed concern over the increase in attacks on Jews and Jewish institutions in Germany, stating that everything must be done to ensure their safety. The Dutch national arrested by German police, identified as Nazih R., was allegedly linked to the terrorist cell in Berlin.

The announcements of arrests were made separately by Denmark, Germany, and the Netherlands, leaving it unclear whether they were coordinated actions or part of a larger, continent-spanning operation. Danish police stated that three people were arrested across Denmark, while one person was detained in the Netherlands on suspicion of planning an act of terror.

Details provided by Danish officials indicated that the arrests had "threads abroad" and were related to criminal gangs, specifically mentioning the banned gang Loyal to Familia, known for its involvement in feuds, violence, robberies, extortion, and drug sales in the Danish capital. However, Flemming Drejer, the operative head of Denmark's Security and Intelligence Service, revealed that there was a special focus on Jewish institutions.

Although the suspects were set to face a custody hearing, the details of the case remained undisclosed. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen expressed her concern over the situation, stating that it was completely unacceptable for conflicts from other parts of the world to be brought into Danish society.

In the Netherlands, a 57-year-old Dutch man was arrested in Rotterdam based on a request from German authorities. The Dutch counterterrorism agency had recently raised the threat alert level to its second-highest classification, citing a substantial possibility of an attack in the country.

In Germany, three suspected members of Hamas were arrested for allegedly planning attacks on Jewish institutions in Europe. Two suspects were arrested in Berlin, and one in Rotterdam. German federal prosecutors identified the suspects by their first names and the first initial of their last names, in line with privacy rules. The individuals were identified as Abdelhamid Al A. from Lebanon, Mohamed B. from Egypt, and Nazih R., a Dutch national.

German Justice Minister Marco Buschmann acknowledged the recent increase in attacks on Jews and Jewish institutions in Germany, which he attributed to the ongoing Israel-Hamas war. He commended the authorities for the arrests and emphasized the importance of ensuring the safety of the Jewish community.

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office praised the arrest of seven Hamas suspects in Europe but attributed the arrests to Danish police. Israeli intelligence agencies vowed to continue operating to repel Hamas' intentions and eliminate its capabilities.

The discrepancies between the statements from Denmark, Germany, and Israel have yet to be resolved. Earlier this month, the European Union's home affairs commissioner warned of a significant risk of terrorist attacks during the Christmas holiday period due to the fallout from the conflict in Gaza.

Denmark's foreign intelligence service, in its annual assessment for 2023, highlighted the rapid escalation and regional instability caused by unresolved conflicts in Europe's immediate vicinity, as demonstrated by the recent war between Israel and Hamas.