Four men suspected of belonging to a clandestine Hamas cell are charged with preparing terror attacks in Europe. They are accused of creating arms depots under orders from the Palestinian Islamist group’s armed wing.

Four men accused of helping prepare possible attacks on Israeli, Jewish or US institutions in Germany or elsewhere in Europe at the behest of the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas faced trial in the German capital, Berlin, on Tuesday morning.

The suspects were arrested in Berlin and the Netherlands and have been held in pre-trial detention since December 2023.

What are the accusations against the Hamas suspects? 

State prosecutors have said the suspects, aged 34 to 57, were “foreign operatives” of the so-called Al-Qassam Brigades, Hamas’ military wing.

They have said the men held “important positions with direct connections to the leadership of the military wing.”

The men are accused of being members of a terrorist organization and setting up several firearms depots in preparation for possible attacks.

Investigators say Hamas considered attacking Israeli, Jewish or US facilities in Germany and Europe in connection with its deadly attacks on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, which prompted Israel to launch a ground and air offensive in Gaza. 

High security for Hamas trial in Berlin

A court spokesperson said the trial would be carried out under heightened security.

Altogether 50 witnesses and several experts are to be called on for testimony during the trial, which is expected to last until at least December.

Hamas, which is classified as a terrorist organization by several countries, including Germany and the US and the European Union, has the declared aim of destroying the state of Israel and ruling an Islamist state in the Middle East.