Security services, including Israel’s Mossad, have successfully stopped a planned terror assault targeting the European Jewish community in a concerted action that took place across Europe and resulted in seven arrests. Three people were arrested in Germany, three in Denmark, and one in the Netherlands as a result of the operation.
The arrests are thought to be related to a conspiracy by Hamas to attack European Jewish communities. The arrests are connected to this scheme by Mossad and German media, which implies that the suspects were trying to retrieve a weapons stash that Hamas allegedly buried. According to a report in the German tabloid Die Welt, intelligence services believe Islamists who are already in Europe are following directions from officials of Hamas in Lebanon.
The Danish government, under the direction of Justice Minister Peter Hummelgaard, has been more taciturn in its remarks. Berlingske, a Danish newspaper, said that Hummelgaard made reference to a criminal cell engaged in a conspiracy against Jews, without directly establishing the connection to Hamas.
According to German authorities, the people who were detained are likely long-time Hamas members who have been under observation since the previous year. They may have been involved in Hamas activities outside of Europe. A number of those detained have been identified; these include Egyptian Mohamed B., Dutch national Nazih R., and Lebanese nationals Abdelhamid Al A. and Ibrahim El-R.
The statement from Mossad underscored the seriousness of the foiled operation, claiming that it was directed towards “killing innocent civilians on European soil” and that “Israeli, Jewish, and Western” interests were its targets. The lengthy and efficient intelligence investigation that resulted in the arrests was highlighted in the statement.
Mette Frederiksen, the prime minister of Denmark, stressed the seriousness of the conspiracy when she spoke about it during the European Council meeting in Brussels. She expressed concern about groups within Denmark who are hostile to the nation’s ideals of freedom and social standards and denounced the attempt to introduce foreign conflicts into Danish society. As noted by Frederiksen, there should be constant watchfulness about dangers to the security and stability of Europe.