Hamas operatives are expanding their terror activities into Europe, establishing secret arms depots and planning attacks, even reaching the United Kingdom. Despite facing setbacks in terms of leadership losses and fighter casualties, Hamas has extended its reach beyond Gaza. An intelligence report obtained by the Mirror reveals that Hamas has broadened its influence in countries such as the United Kingdom, Germany, the Netherlands, Austria, Italy, Belgium, and Switzerland.
The expansion of Hamas has been facilitated by support from the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and Hezbollah, aiming primarily at Israeli targets, including diplomatic missions, businesses with Israeli connections, and religious sites tied to Israel. In addition to stockpiling weapons like AK-47 rifles and ammunition, Hamas has ventured into drone warfare, with backing from Lebanon and Iran, forming alliances with criminal networks in Eastern Europe to acquire dangerous armaments.
While Hamas has suffered significant losses in Gaza, its strategic shift towards foreign operational capabilities has been evident for years. Intelligence services have uncovered preliminary plots, weapons caches, criminal connections, and logistical networks linked to Hamas in Europe. The group has built a network of influence through charities, NGOs, and criminal organizations, with a focus on escalating operations against Israeli interests across Europe.
Despite being weakened in Gaza, Hamas has intensified its efforts to expand into Europe following the 2023 conflict. The group is now more willing to engage in external operations, posing a substantial terror threat in the UK. As Hamas faces degradation in Gaza, the likelihood of attacks in Europe rises, with concerns over potential collaborations with criminal networks for arms and logistics.
The report underscores the escalating risk of Hamas attacks in Europe, driven by developments in Gaza and external factors such as Israeli strikes on Hamas leadership abroad. Hamas’ willingness to conduct attacks beyond the Middle East has raised concerns among Western security agencies, prompting the need for enhanced vigilance and coordinated actions. The threat of international terrorism directed by Hamas is expected to remain high in the coming years, requiring sustained attention from authorities in Europe and Israel.