Joint Israeli-European investigation uncovers Hamas infrastructure, arrests operatives, and seizes weapons hidden across the continent
Nov 20, 2025
The Israeli Prime Minister’s Office, speaking on behalf of the Mossad, reported a series of recent counter-terrorism successes in Europe, describing the developments as part of “an uncompromising struggle to thwart terrorist attacks worldwide.” According to a statement dated 19.11.2025, close cooperation between the Mossad and European intelligence and law enforcement agencies has led to the exposure of Hamas-built terrorist infrastructure, the seizure of weapons caches, and multiple arrests across the continent.
Following a lengthy Mossad-led investigation, European authorities in countries including Germany and Austria conducted coordinated operations that uncovered Hamas activity aimed at attacking Israeli and Jewish targets. Officials noted that these cells were preparing to act “on the day the order is given,” with weapons and explosives already positioned for operational use.
A key development occurred in Vienna last September, when Austria’s State Security and Intelligence Directorate (DSN) discovered a weapons hideout containing handguns and explosive devices. The cache was linked to Muhammad Na’im, son of senior Hamas Political Bureau member Basem Na’im, who is considered close to Gaza-based Hamas leader Khalil al-Hayya. Investigators highlighted that this was not the first indication of Hamas leadership in Qatar being involved in directing operations abroad, despite public denials by the movement’s senior figures.
The investigation revealed that Muhammad Na’im met with his father in Qatar around the same time the Vienna cache was discovered. According to Israeli assessments, the meeting suggests potential authorization from senior Hamas leadership to promote terrorist activity in Europe. Officials argue that the leadership’s continued denials only indicate a failure to control operatives acting under its umbrella.
Authorities are also examining possible involvement of Hamas elements operating from Turkey, described as a historically convenient base for the group. As part of these broader efforts, German authorities arrested Barah al-Khatib, a prominent operative, last November after he had recently traveled from Turkey, allegedly following the completion of operational activity in Europe.
Israel’s intelligence community asserts that the cooperation with European partners reflects growing international recognition of the mounting threat posed by Hamas networks abroad. In several countries, including Germany, authorities have expanded legal and diplomatic measures targeting Hamas-linked associations and institutions used for fundraising, recruitment, and ideological incitement.
According to the Mossad, the organization is leading global efforts to stop terrorist plots directed at Israeli, Jewish, and other civilian targets. Since the October 7 massacre, Hamas has reportedly intensified its attempts to establish cells overseas, mirroring tactics used by Iran and its proxies. The Mossad stated that it is currently working to disrupt dozens of such channels around the world in fulfillment of its mandate to protect Israeli security abroad.
Photographs of Basem Na’im and Muhammad Na’im, along with images of the confiscated weapons and a map of the disrupted Hamas operational centers, were attached to the statement.