Europe faces heightened Hamas terror threat after arrests of operatives plotting attacks

European authorities are investigating what they believe may be an expanding Hamas terror network after the arrests of suspected operatives linked to plots targeting Israeli and Jewish sites across the continent.

The arrests in Greece, Cyprus, Germany, and Austria have heightened concerns that Hamas is seeking to strengthen its operational capabilities in Europe despite suffering major setbacks in Gaza.

Greek authorities announced on Sunday that they had arrested a Gazan man suspected of being a Hamas agent who was allegedly planning a terror attack against Israeli targets in Greece. Unconfirmed reports in Greek media suggested the operative intended to target an Israeli cruise ship scheduled to arrive on the island of Crete on Tuesday.

“According to the information we have at this stage, he was connected to several people recently arrested in Cyprus on suspicion of terrorist activity and received training from Hamas,” Greek Police said in an official statement.

The 37-year-old suspect reportedly arrived in Greece a year ago after receiving asylum and was working at a hotel on Crete, a popular destination for international tourists, including Israelis.

According to Greek intelligence services, the suspect had traveled abroad to receive training in bomb-making, handling explosives, and other terrorist activities. Authorities linked him to properties in Athens and Crete where investigators found mobile phones, a laptop, bank cards, external hard drives, and laboratory equipment used in the manufacture of explosives.

Greek police have linked the suspect to a terrorist cell involving four additional Palestinians who were recently arrested in Cyprus on “terrorism-related offenses.”

Authorities are also investigating whether the suspect was planning attacks against Israeli and Jewish targets elsewhere in Europe.

The Greek arrest follows a series of Hamas-related terrorism investigations across Europe.

In Germany, police last week arrested a 25-year-old Hamas suspect from Denmark for alleged weapons procurement. German authorities believe the weapons were intended for use in a terrorist plot targeting Israeli and Jewish sites across Europe.

The suspect, identified as Yousif C., was arrested outside Copenhagen last month in an operation conducted in cooperation with German authorities.

“Yousif C. is a member of the terrorist organization Hamas. In July 2025, he handed over five pistols and ammunition to Abed Al G., who is being prosecuted separately… Abed Al G. then passed the firearms on to Mohammed A., who is also being prosecuted separately…for transport to Vienna. This action was intended to prepare for Hamas's planned attacks on Israeli or Jewish institutions in Germany and Europe,” Germany’s Federal Prosecutor’s (GBA) stated.

Last November, Austrian police uncovered a secret Hamas weapons cache in Vienna that was reportedly intended for “possible terrorist attacks in Europe.”

"According to the current state of the investigation, Israeli or Jewish institutions in Europe were likely to be the targets of these attacks," the Austrian Interior Ministry said in an official statement.

The recent arrests come as European authorities continue to scrutinize Hamas's operational and financial networks across the continent.

Last month, a Dutch court acquitted suspected Hamas financier Amin Abu Rashid due to an alleged lack of evidence despite Rashid’s close ties to the terrorist organization.

The court established that Abu Rashid had transferred around €8 million ($US9.3 million) to Gaza between 2010 and 2023. However, it concluded that it could not determine whether the funds were intended for Hamas or for Gaza’s civilian population.

Hamas, which is designated a terrorist organization by the European Union, has long relied on international financial and logistical networks to support its activities.

European security services remain concerned that the group continues to maintain operational infrastructure on the continent despite intensified counterterrorism efforts.