German federal prosecutors on Friday charged seven suspected members of the Islamist militant group Hamas.

The men allegedly plotted to carry out a deadly attack on Israeli or Jewish targets in Germany or Austria.

What are the charges?

The men are accused of helping procure weapons, membership in a foreign terrorist organization, and taking part in preparations for act of violence endangering the state, the Federal Prosecutor's Office in Karlsruhe said on Friday.

Investigators believe the suspects, who were arrested in Germany and abroad over recent months, were already pursuing a concrete attack plan.

The men are accused of helping obtain guns and ammunition for an attack targeting representatives of Israel, Jewish people or people regarded as pro-Israel.

The plot allegedly became concrete by July 2025 and was intended to take place on the second anniversary of the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks on Israel.

Prosecutors say that one of the suspects recorded a video claiming responsibility in advance and announcing the planned attack in the name of Hamas.

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All seven men also face weapons charges, while three are additionally accused of violating Germany's War Weapons Control Act.

What weapons had allegedly been obtained?

By the time three of the suspects were arrested in Berlin on October 1, 2025, prosecutors say the group had obtained:

• one functioning fully automatic rifle
• 13 functioning handguns
• more than 700 rounds of ammunition

Part of the arsenal was allegedly moved to Vienna and stored there by another suspect who is being prosecuted separately.

According to prosecutors, all seven belonged to Hamas and several were tasked by senior Hamas officials with securing the weapons.

The suspects were arrested between October 2025 and May 2026 and remain in pre-trial detention.

Another alleged participant, Mohammed A., was arrested in London on November 3, 2025, at the request of German authorities.

He has not yet been transferred to Germany and is being prosecuted separately.

Edited by: Wesley Rahn

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