For terror in Europe

Hamas weapons depot in Vienna unearthed

The armed arm of Hamas, the Al-Quassam Brigades, spread fear and terror in the Gaza Strip. Now the terrorist organization is apparently planning attacks in Europe.(Bild: AFP/SAID KHATIB)

The Austrian authorities had been investigating suspected Hamas connections in Austria since the beginning of October. Now the investigators have succeeded in striking an important blow against terrorism.

This was triggered by a foiled Hamas attack in Germany at the beginning of October. The German authorities had uncovered a Berlin terror cell and several people were arrested, including three suspected Hamas members. 

Weapons for attacks on Jewish institutions
As so-called foreign operatives of the Islamist Palestinian terrorist organization, Abed Al G., Wael F. M. and Ahamad I. are alleged to have procured an assault rifle, pistols and ammunition from Germany, among other things, according to the Federal Public Prosecutor's Office - the highest German prosecuting authority. "The weapons were to be used by Hamas for assassination attacks on Israeli or Jewish facilities in Germany," the authority said.

Hidden in a rented storage room
A stash of weapons has now also been unearthed in a rented storage room in Vienna. According to the Directorate of State Security and Intelligence (DSN), officers were able to seize a suitcase containing five handguns and ten magazines. It is also suspected that a group had brought weapons to Austria in order to have them ready for possible terrorist attacks in Europe.

The armed branch of Hamas, the Al-Quassam Brigades, spread fear and terror in the Gaza Strip. Now the terrorist organization was apparently planning attacks in Europe.(Bild: AFP/SAID KHATIB)

39-year-old arrested in London
As part of the international investigative cooperation, a 39-year-old British citizen was also identified as a suspect. He is suspected of being closely linked to the weapons cache and the group, which operates throughout Europe. The 39-year-old was arrested in London on November 3, 2025.

Interior Minister Gerhard Karner says: "The current case shows once again that the State Security Intelligence Service Directorate has an excellent international network and takes consistent action against all forms of extremism. The mission is clear: zero tolerance towards terrorists."

State Secretary Jörg Leichtfried added: "The dedicated actions and diligent investigative work of the DSN have made a decisive contribution to this successful weapons find - a strong sign of their professionalism and commitment to the security of our fellow human beings."

In an initial reaction, the FPÖ strongly criticized the "red-pink welcome culture", which had "finally turned Vienna into a security risk for the whole of Europe". "Whilst the SPÖ and its pink stooge supporters lose themselves in multicultural dreams, pistols, magazines and assault rifles are stored in the middle of our city for possible attacks", said FPÖ Vienna leader Councillor Dominik Nepp in a statement on Thursday. "The much-vaunted integration of recent years by the SPÖ, NEOS and the Greens has obviously failed miserably. The reality is parallel societies in which political Islam can spread unhindered."