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A man who guarded former Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Gaza before settling in England stands accused of plotting to strike Jewish community centers, Israeli diplomats, and pro-Israel demonstrations in Germany or Austria around the second anniversary of the October 7th massacre, The Sunday Times reported.
The suspect, identified only as “Mr. X,” reached Britain in 2012 and sought asylum three years later. When he received refugee status, his past was no secret. He had worked for Haniyeh and had been arrested in Egypt for running a tunnel that funneled weapons into the Gaza Strip.
The Home Office, then run by Theresa May, gave him permanent residency anyway, and British citizenship followed. He passed as an unremarkable IT consultant, changing his legal name several times.
German authorities accuse him of playing a central role in the scheme. According to the indictment first reported by Bild, he allegedly transported handguns, ammunition, and camouflage gear from Berlin to Vienna. He is also alleged to have recorded a video with a Hamas flag behind him, appearing masked and armed as he cast the planned attack as revenge in the name of the Izzadin al-Qassam Brigades.
The Mossad and German intelligence uncovered the conspiracy, and National Crime Agency officers arrested him in central London in November 2025. Germany is now seeking his extradition.
A magistrates’ court had granted him anonymity for a full century. It amended that order Thursday at The Sunday Times‘ request, and he may be named once separate criminal proceedings against him in the UK conclude.
His British passport allowed him to travel freely across Europe. German security officials say his role reveals a dangerous shift in Hamas tactics as the terror group works to carry its attacks into Europe.
Haniyeh was assassinated by Israel during a visit to the Iranian capital of Tehran in July 2024.
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