Hamas Suspect Arrested in Cyprus Over European Terror Plot

Border authorities in Cyprus arrested a Lebanese-born man suspected of assisting Hamas in preparing attacks against Jewish institutions in Europe, German prosecutors said Tuesday. The suspect, identified as Kamel M., was detained at Larnaca Airport after arriving from Lebanon under a European arrest warrant issued by Germany.

German federal prosecutors said Kamel M. is suspected of helping supply ammunition for a Hamas-linked plot targeting Israeli or Jewish institutions in Germany and other European countries. Authorities believe the ammunition transfer formed part of preparations for potential attacks connected to the terrorist organization’s activities in Europe.

“The operation served as preparation for deadly Hamas attacks on Israeli or Jewish institutions in Germany and Europe,” Germany’s Federal Prosecutor’s Office said in a statement.

According to prosecutors, Kamel M. allegedly transported approximately 300 rounds of live ammunition intended for individuals suspected of belonging to Hamas. The ammunition was reportedly transferred through a chain of intermediaries as part of a broader network under investigation by German authorities.

Prosecutors said Kamel M. passed the ammunition to a German national identified as Abed Al G., who then transferred it to another suspect, Mohammad S. German authorities arrested Mohammad S. in January after he arrived in Berlin from Lebanon in connection with the same investigation.

The case is tied to a wider probe into suspected Hamas activity inside Germany that began last year. In October 2025, German authorities arrested Abed Al G. along with two additional suspects, Lebanese-born Wael F.M. and German national Ahmad I., on charges of membership in Hamas and preparation of a serious act of violence endangering the state.

During those arrests, investigators said they discovered a cache of weapons that included an AK-47 assault rifle, several pistols, and a significant quantity of ammunition. Prosecutors said the group had been procuring weapons and ammunition for Hamas members operating in Germany since the summer of 2025.

German authorities believe the weapons and ammunition were intended for use in attacks targeting Israeli or Jewish institutions in Germany, part of what investigators describe as an organized support network linked to Hamas.

Following his arrest in Cyprus, Kamel M. is expected to be extradited to Germany, where he will appear before a judge as prosecutors continue their investigation into the suspected network and its potential plans for attacks in Europe.

German officials have not disclosed the ultimate destination of the ammunition or whether specific targets had already been selected. The investigation into the suspected Hamas network remains ongoing.