Israel revealed today that Hamas operates a network of agents in Europe, taking orders from leaders based in Lebanon.
Recent Israeli airstrikes targeted and killed several top Hamas commanders in Lebanon, including Saleh al-Arouri and Khalil Harraz. The organization’s cells in Denmark, Germany, and Holland were apprehended in December, suspected of planning attacks on Jewish targets in Europe.
In a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office, Israel’s intelligence agencies, Mossad and Shin Bet, collaborated with foreign partners to create a detailed understanding of Hamas’s efforts to carry out attacks in Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. The information uncovered includes specifics on operational theaters, terror targets, and individuals involved in the attacks, ranging from commanders in Lebanon to the operational infrastructure’s lower ranks.
The network’s plans reportedly included an attack on Israel’s embassy in Sweden, procurement of UAVs, and collaboration with criminal organizations in Europe to support their attacks. Although specific details were not provided, Israel emphasized the comprehensive nature of its findings.
Saleh al-Arouri, a long-wanted figure by Israel and considered the mastermind behind Hamas’s West Bank terrorism, was killed in a strike in Beirut earlier this month. While Israel did not comment, unnamed US officials informed media outlets that Israel was responsible for the operation.
Khalil Harraz, Hamas’s deputy military wing commander in Lebanon, was killed in a November strike in Lebanon attributed to Israel. Danish police revealed on Friday that seven individuals linked to Hamas were suspected in a foiled terror attack in December. The apparent plot aimed to target innocent civilians on European soil, according to Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu.
Danish Justice Minister Peter Hummelgaard acknowledged the seriousness of the threat against Denmark but highlighted the country’s strong police and intelligence services. Israel updated travel warnings for numerous countries in December, citing rising antisemitism and threats of violence against Israelis and Jews worldwide amid the ongoing conflict with Hamas in Gaza.
{Matzav.com Israel}
