British suspect linked to Hamas Europe network exposed by Mossad
UK arrest tied to weapons pipeline Mossad says was green-lit by senior Hamas figures based in Qatar
A British man arrested in London on a German warrant has been linked to the Hamas terror network that Mossad says was preparing attacks on Jewish and Israeli targets across Europe under direction from the group’s leadership in Qatar.
The 39-year-old was detained earlier this month at the request of German prosecutors, who allege he transported five handguns and ammunition to Vienna for storage. Austrian intelligence later seized the weapons in a hidden cache uncovered during a joint European counterterror operation.
Mossad said on Wednesday that the stockpile belonged to Muhammad Na’im, son of senior Hamas political bureau member Basem Na’im, and forms part of a wider effort to build operational cells on European soil. According to the agency, Muhammad Na’im met his father in Doha in September, shortly before the weapons were discovered.
Israeli officials say the timing “suggests high-level authorisation” for activity in Europe, even as Hamas leadership continues to publicly deny any involvement. Mossad added that such denials may indicate the movement “has lost control over increasingly rogue operatives”.
Investigators are also looking at possible Turkish links after the earlier arrest of suspected Hamas operative Burhan al-Khatib in Germany, who had recently returned from Turkey. Ankara has long been viewed by Western and Israeli officials as a logistical hub for the group’s external operations.
European security agencies have intensified actions against organisations accused of raising funds or recruiting on behalf of Hamas, including religious and cultural bodies. The Mossad statement said the cooperation reflects a “growing understanding in Europe” of the group’s attempts to rebuild foreign terror infrastructure since the 7 October massacre.
Hamas insists its activities are confined to what it calls resistance against Israel and denies directing attacks in Europe.
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