Coordinated counterterrorism operations across Europe have revealed what Israeli authorities describe as a substantial network preparing assaults against Israeli and Jewish civilians. This collaborative endeavor involved the Mossad and various European intelligence and law enforcement agencies operating across multiple countries.
According to a statement issued on behalf of the Mossad for Intelligence and Special Operations, the dismantled network was part of a broader initiative by Hamas leadership to establish its presence across the continent. Israeli officials refer to this network as the “Hamas Octopus,” detailing operational cells, weapons caches, and logistical channels intended to activate attacks “on command.”
A senior Israeli intelligence official, familiar with the specifics, told Digital, “There are active cells across Europe right now, already on their way to targets, and the public — along with law-enforcement bodies in these countries — must be significantly more alert as this activity continues.”
One of the crucial discoveries was made in Vienna last September, when Austria’s security and intelligence service (DSN) located a weapons hideout containing pistols and explosive materials. Israeli authorities state the cache belonged to Hamas operative Muhammad Naim, the son of Bassem Naim, a senior Hamas political bureau member in Gaza described as a close associate of Hamas leader Khalil al-Hayya.
As European agencies coordinated their investigation, Israeli officials uncovered information linking the Vienna activity to developments outside Europe. Israel noted activity in September between Muhammad Naim and his father. The timing, according to Israel, suggests potential involvement by Hamas leadership abroad in advancing the network’s activities, despite repeated public denials by senior movement figures. Israeli officials further add that such denials may indicate a loss of control over “rogue operatives.”
The senior Israeli intelligence official asserted, “It is no coincidence that one of the key suspects is the son of one of Hamas’ most senior leaders based in Qatar.”
The investigation expanded further to Turkey, which Israeli authorities characterize 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. 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 stated 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.”
Israeli officials report that 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 undertaken additional measures 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.
The Mossad says it continues to work with partners worldwide to 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.”