Coordinated counter-terrorism raids across Europe have exposed what Israeli authorities describe as a major Hamas network planning attacks on Israeli and Jewish civilians. The joint effort involved the Mossad and multiple European intelligence and law enforcement agencies operating in several countries.
According to the statement issued by the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office on behalf of the Mossad for Intelligence and Special Operations, the dismantled network was part of a broader effort by the Hamas leadership to build terror infrastructure across the continent. Israeli officials call the network the “Hamas Octopus,” describing operational cells, weapons shelters and logistics channels designed to activate attacks “on command.”
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Weapons, including pistols and explosive materials, along with clandestine Hamas cells prepared to act “on command,” were uncovered in Germany, Austria and other parts of Europe during coordinated raids carried out jointly with the Mossad, according to the Israeli cabinet. (Israeli Prime Minister’s Office)
One of the crucial discoveries was made in Vienna last September, when the Austrian Security and Intelligence Service (DSN) found a weapons hideout containing pistols and explosive material. Israeli authorities say the cache belonged to Hamas operative Muhammad Naim, the son of Bassem Naim, a senior Hamas political bureau member in Gaza who has been described as close to Hamas leader Khalil al-Hayya.
As European agencies coordinated their investigations, Israeli officials uncovered information linking activities in Vienna to developments outside Europe. Israel says a meeting between Muhammad Naim and his father took place in Qatar in September. The timing, according to Israel, indicates a possible involvement of Hamas leaders abroad in furthering the network’s activities, despite repeated public denials by leading figures in the movement. Israeli officials add that such denials could indicate a loss of control over “rogue agents.”
The senior Israeli intelligence official claimed: “It is no coincidence that one of the main suspects is the son of one of the top leaders of Hamas, based in Qatar.”
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Bassem Naim, senior member of Hamas’s political bureau and father of operative Muhammad Naim, linked to the Vienna weapons depot. (Israeli Prime Minister’s Office)
The investigation expanded further into Turkey, which Israeli authorities describe as “a convenient operating area for Hamas operatives, both past and present.” European intelligence services are investigating possible Hamas-linked plots linked to agents moving through Turkish territory. In November, German authorities arrested a prominent figure in the network, Burhan al-Khatib, after a stay in Turkey, “probably after completing his operational activities on European territory,” Israel said.
The senior Israeli intelligence official said that Turkey — despite its friendship with the White House and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s close ties with Washington — is “showing unmistakable signs of commitment.” This includes the arrest in Germany of a Hamas operative who arrived directly from Turkey. Some of the leadership and operational direction is carried out from Turkey, and Turkey’s hosting of Hamas directly fuels terror activities in Europe.”
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Muhammad Naim, Hamas operative linked to the weapons cache discovered in Vienna. (Credit: Office of the Israeli Prime Minister)
Israeli officials say the multinational cooperation reflects a growing recognition in Europe of the threat posed by Hamas activities outside the Middle East. They note that European agencies have recently taken additional steps against Hamas’s incitement and recruitment networks, including charities and religious institutions used “to raise money and recruit operatives,” citing Germany as a recent example.
Hamas terrorists watch the transfer of three Israeli hostages to a Red Cross team in Deir el-Balah, central Gaza, on February 8, 2025. (Majdi Fathi/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
The Mossad says it will continue to work with partners around the world to prevent attacks on Israeli, Jewish and civilian targets. Since the October 7 massacre, Israel reports that Hamas has intensified efforts to build infrastructure abroad, and that the Mossad is working to thwart “dozens of attack plans worldwide.”
