German prosecutors charge seven Hamas suspects over Berlin and Vienna attack plots

September 11, 2026 at 08:00 PM2 min

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Germany's federal prosecutor has charged seven suspected Hamas members with plotting attacks in Berlin and Vienna timed to the second anniversary of the October 7, 2023 assault on Israel. The group allegedly planned to target Israeli representatives, Jewish citizens, and pro-Israel individuals, and had stockpiled an automatic rifle, 13 pistols, and over 700 rounds of ammunition. The plot was disrupted days before the planned attacks, with the first arrests made in Berlin on October 1, 2025.

Key Facts

Germany's federal prosecutor charged seven suspected Hamas members with preparing attacks in Berlin and Vienna for the second anniversary of the October 7, 2023 assault on Israel.
The group had stockpiled an automatic rifle, 13 pistols, and more than 700 rounds of ammunition before the plot was disrupted.
The first three suspects were arrested in Berlin on October 1, 2025, days before the planned attacks.
A weapons cache was discovered in Vienna in November 2025, and further arrests followed in London, Denmark, Cyprus, and Berlin.
Hamas, designated a terrorist organization by the EU and the US, denies any connection to the arrested suspects.

The Charges

Germany's federal prosecutor has charged seven suspected members of Hamas with preparing terrorist attacks in Berlin and Vienna. The alleged plot was timed to coincide with the second anniversary of the October 7, 2023 Hamas assault on Israel. Investigators say the group planned to target Israeli representatives, Jewish citizens, and people with pro-Israel views. The plot was disrupted just days before the planned attacks, according to the prosecutor's office.

Arrests and Weapons

The first three suspects were arrested in Berlin on October 1, 2025. By that time, the group had already stockpiled an automatic rifle, 13 pistols, and more than 700 rounds of ammunition. In November 2025, investigators found a weapons cache in Vienna, and another suspect was arrested in London on a warrant issued by the Federal Court of Justice in Karlsruhe. Further arrests were made in Denmark, Cyprus, and Berlin in the following months. One case was transferred to Berlin authorities after prosecutors could not prove the suspect was a member or supporter of Hamas.

Hamas Denial

Hamas, designated a terrorist organization by the European Union and the United States, denies any connection to the arrested suspects. The October 7, 2023 attack by Hamas killed about 1,200 people in Israel and led to the capture of more than 250 hostages. Israel's subsequent military campaign in Gaza has killed more than 73,000 Palestinians, according to the Hamas-run health ministry.