In a sweeping counterterrorism operation spanning several European countries, authorities have dismantled what Israeli officials describe as a significant Hamas network plotting attacks against Israeli and Jewish civilians. This coordinated effort featured collaboration between the Mossad and multiple European intelligence and law enforcement agencies.
According to a statement from the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office, the disrupted network represents a larger strategy by Hamas to establish a terror infrastructure throughout Europe. Israeli officials have dubbed this network the “Hamas Octopus,” highlighting its operational cells, caches of weapons, and logistical channels poised to carry out attacks at a moment’s notice.
A senior Israeli intelligence source informed Fox News Digital that there are active cells across Europe aiming for targets, urging the public and law enforcement agencies to remain vigilant as these threats persist.
The raids, conducted in collaboration with the Mossad, uncovered weapons and explosive materials along with clandestine Hamas cells ready to act “on command” in countries including Germany and Austria, as reported by the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office.
A significant breakthrough occurred in Vienna last September when Austria’s security and intelligence service discovered a cache of pistols and explosives. Israeli authorities claim these belonged to Hamas operative Muhammad Naim, the son of Bassem Naim, a senior member of Hamas’s political bureau in Gaza, who is known to be close to Hamas leader Khalil al-Hayya.
As European agencies advanced their investigation, Israeli officials uncovered connections between the Vienna findings and activities beyond Europe. According to Israel, a September meeting in Qatar involved Muhammad Naim and his father. This timing suggests potential involvement by Hamas leadership abroad in furthering the network’s activities, contradicting public denials by senior Hamas figures. Israeli officials suggest these denials may reflect a loss of control over certain “rogue operatives.”
The senior Israeli intelligence official claimed, “It is no coincidence that one of the key suspects is the son of one of Hamas’ most senior leaders based in Qatar.”
Bassem Naim, senior Hamas political bureau member and father of operative Muhammad Naim linked to the Vienna weapons cache. (Israeli Prime Minister’s Office)
The investigation widened further to Turkey, which Israeli authorities describe as “a convenient area of activity for Hamas operatives, both past and present.” European intelligence services are examining possible Hamas-linked plots tied to operatives moving through Turkish territory. In November, German authorities arrested a prominent figure in the network, Burhan al-Khatib, after a stay in Turkey, “likely after completing his operational activity on European soil,” according to Israel.
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 — shows “unmistakable signs of involvement. This includes the arrest in Germany of a Hamas operative who arrived directly from Turkey. Some of the direction and operational guidance is being carried out from inside Turkey, and Turkey’s hosting of Hamas is directly fueling terror activity in Europe.”
Muhammad Naim, Hamas operative linked to the weapons cache uncovered in Vienna. (Credit: Israeli Prime Minister’s Office)
Israeli officials say the multinational cooperation reflects a growing recognition in Europe of the threat posed by Hamas activity beyond the Middle East. They note that European bodies have recently taken additional steps targeting Hamas’ incitement and recruitment networks, including charities and religious institutions used “to raise funds and recruit operatives,” with Germany cited as a recent example.
Hamas terrorists watch the handover of three Israeli hostages to a Red Cross team in Deir el-Balah, central Gaza, on Feb. 8, 2025. (Majdi Fathi/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
The Mossad says it continues to work with partners worldwide to prevent attacks on Israeli, Jewish and civilian targets. Since the Oct. 7 massacre, Israel reports that Hamas has intensified efforts to build infrastructure abroad, and that Mossad is working to thwart “dozens of attack plots worldwide.”
