UPDATE: A new intelligence report warns of a high likelihood that Hamas will launch attacks across Europe within the next six months. This alarming assessment reveals that the terrorist group has significantly expanded its influence beyond Gaza, posing a serious threat to European nations, including the UK.
The report, obtained by The Daily Mirror, indicates a strategic shift in Hamas’s operational focus, moving away from its traditional strongholds in Israel, Gaza, and the West Bank. Intelligence experts have identified a troubling pattern of activities suggesting that Hamas is preparing for potential external operations.
Over the past decade, intelligence agencies have uncovered numerous plots, weapons caches, and organized crime connections linked to Hamas’s efforts to establish a foothold in Europe. This includes leveraging charities, non-governmental organizations, and criminal networks to facilitate their operations.
Despite recent setbacks in Gaza, including the loss of key leadership, Hamas’s ambitions appear undeterred. The report states, “The organization’s leadership now appears more willing to accept the strategic risks of external operations.” This marks a significant evolution in their strategy, with evidence indicating that Hamas has been embedding operatives and establishing covert support systems across the continent since 2019.
Current assessments by MI5 and the Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre categorize the threat level in the UK as “substantial.” Officials predict that as Hamas seeks to demonstrate resilience, attempts at external operations will intensify, particularly targeting Israeli diplomatic missions, businesses linked to Israel, and Jewish religious sites in Europe.
Colonel Richard Kemp, a former UK terrorism adviser, emphasized the seriousness of the threat: “It is entirely possible that Hamas will feel the need to launch attacks outside Gaza and in Europe.” He warned that arms caches have been established across the continent, making Europe a likely target for Hamas’s activities.
Kemp noted the connections between Hamas and the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps, stating that these ties could facilitate attacks aimed at harming Israel and its citizens. He urged the UK to enhance its reliance on Israeli intelligence to thwart potential Hamas operations.
As intelligence agencies continue to monitor this developing situation, the implications for the Jewish community in Europe are particularly concerning. The spread of Hamas’s operational capabilities raises fears of targeted violence, highlighting the urgent need for increased security measures.
Authorities are calling for heightened vigilance as the threat landscape evolves. The report serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing need for international cooperation in counter-terrorism efforts.
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