Hamas chief's ex-bodyguard got UK citizenship, then 'plotted' terror attacks on Jews in Europe

A former bodyguard of the late Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh was granted asylum and British citizenship before allegedly plotting terrorist attacks on Jewish targets across Europe, a Sunday Times investigation reported on 27 September.

The man, identified only as “Mr X” for legal reasons, served on Haniyeh’s security detail before moving to Britain more than a decade ago, Haaretz reported. When he was awarded refugee status, it was public knowledge that he had worked for Haniyeh, was the son of a senior Hamas official, and had been arrested in Egypt over an alleged arms-and-gold smuggling tunnel into Gaza. He lived as an IT consultant in an English suburb, changed his name several times, and — per the report — was not a priority for the security services.

Last November, National Crime Agency officers arrested him in central London after Mossad and German intelligence uncovered the plot, timed for the second anniversary of the October 7 attacks. The Times of Israel reported that seven suspects were detained, with an AK47 among the weapons seized.

A German indictment accuses Mr X of transporting pistols and ammunition to a Vienna hideout and filming himself masked, armed and beside a Hamas flag, declaring the planned attack for the group’s military wing. He now faces extradition to Germany. The case raises sharp questions for the Home Office about vetting for asylum and citizenship.

Sources

• The Times — UK gave citizenship to Hamas chief’s guard, then he ‘plotted terror’
• Haaretz — Report: Ex-Hamas chief’s bodyguard planned attacks on Jews in Europe from U.K.
• The Times of Israel — Report: Ex-guard for Hamas chief got UK citizenship before arrest for plotting terror attack on Jews in Europe