German Court Detains Suspected Hamas Operatives Amid Rising Tensions

In Germany, a judge has ordered the pretrial detention of three men suspected of being associated with the Palestinian militant group Hamas. The individuals, identified under German privacy laws, were allegedly preparing attacks on Jewish targets in the country, according to prosecution officials on Thursday.

The arrests take place amid elevated security around Jewish sites, coinciding with the second anniversary of a militant attack on Israel. Separately, in Britain, an assailant claimed two lives at a Manchester synagogue before being neutralized by police.

Hamas has disavowed any connection to the German suspects, criticizing the accusations as baseless, and maintains that its activities are focused solely on contesting Israeli occupation in Palestine. Authorities found the suspects in possession of an AK-47, a Glock pistol, and substantial ammunition, heightening European counter-terrorism concerns.

(With inputs from agencies.)