German officials informed The Associated Press that authorities apprehended three individuals suspected of being Hamas members, on suspicion of planning attacks against Israeli or Jewish establishments within Germany.
Among those taken into custody on Wednesday, two are German citizens. The federal prosecutor’s office noted that the third suspect was born in Lebanon.
Their names were provided as Abed Al G., Wael F. M., and Ahmad I., in accordance with. The three are scheduled for a court appearance on Thursday.
Federal prosecutors, in a statement acquired by Reuters, reported that “during today’s arrests, a variety of weapons, including an AK-47 assault rifle and multiple pistols, alongside a substantial quantity of ammunition, were discovered.”
A security source, speaking to Reuters, stated that the three individuals are believed to be in their 30s or 40s.
Germany, where security is stringent at synagogues and other Jewish institutions due to the legacy of the Holocaust, did not, last month, join France, Britain, and several other countries in challenging Israel’s preferences by recognizing Palestinian statehood.
Hamas has yet to provide a response to a 20-point plan for Gaza put forth by the U.S., which includes the disarmament of the militant organization.
In February, four Hamas members, suspected of conspiring to attack Jewish institutions across Europe, stood trial in Berlin in what prosecutors termed the first court case against militants of the Palestinian group in Germany.
This report was contributed to by The Associated Press and Reuters.