Mossad exposes Hamas sleeper cells across Europe, foils planned attacks on Israeli and Jewish targets

Mossad officials revealed on Wednesday they have exposed and dismantled an extensive network of Hamas terror operations throughout Europe, thwarting multiple planned attacks against Israeli and Jewish targets.

According to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office, the months-long investigation involved collaboration between the Israeli spy agency and other intelligence agencies and law enforcement across several European countries, including Germany, Austria and the Netherlands. 

In early September, Mossad identified Mahmoud Naim, the son of Basem Naim- a senior Hamas official- as the facilitator of the planned terror plot. Naim had been working with operatives in Turkey to establish cells and stockpiles of weapons designed to carry out attacks against Israelis and Jewish targets across Europe.

The coordinated raids resulted in multiple arrests and the discovery and seizure of a weapons arsenal, including pistols and explosive devices, set to use “on command” by Hamas operatives.

Last September, Austria’s security and intelligence agency (DSN) located a weapons cache hidden in the city, which was later discovered to belong to Naim, who is also a close associate of Gaza leader Khalil al-Haya.

As the investigation progressed, European agencies uncovered information about a meeting in Qatar between Naim and his father around the same period. According to Israeli officials, the timing of the meeting indicates authorization for the establishment of the Vienna cell, despite Hamas’s repeated denials.

“The involvement of the organization’s leadership in Qatar in advancing terror operations is now being revealed for the first time,” the Mossad stated. “Senior Hamas figures continue to publicly deny any connection as part of an effort to shield the group’s image in the international arena.”

In November, German authorities arrested Burhan al-Khatib, another well-known leader in the terror network after his return from Turkey. 

European authorities have stepped up security operations and legal-political measures targeting Hamas-linked organizations, including associations and religious bodies accused of raising funds or enlisting operatives under a humanitarian cover.

Mossad emphasized that since the Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel, Hamas has intensified efforts to form sleeper cells and terror infrastructure across Europe, similar to Iran and its proxies. The Israeli spy agency said it “is working relentlessly to thwart attacks against Israeli, Jewish, and other innocent civilians across the globe.”