Former Hamas Bodyguard Allegedly Granted UK Asylum Before Plotting Terror Attack

An individual, identified only as Mr. X for legal reasons, who previously served on the security detail of Ismail Haniyeh, the former leader of Hamas, was reportedly granted asylum and later citizenship in the United Kingdom before becoming involved in an alleged terror plot.

Authorities in Germany are seeking the extradition of Mr. X, a married father in his forties, who is accused of planning attacks against Israeli diplomats, pro-Israel demonstrations, and the Jewish community in Germany and Austria. The alleged attacks were reportedly intended to coincide with the second anniversary of the October 7 attacks.

Mr. X was arrested in London in November by the National Crime Agency following intelligence shared by Mossad and German security forces regarding the alleged plot. He remains in custody in the UK and also faces a separate criminal case there. If convicted in the UK, he would serve a sentence before potential extradition to Germany on charges of procuring arms for Hamas.

German authorities, in collaboration with international partners, have already seized seven suspects and weapons, including an AK-47 rifle, in connection with the alleged plot. An indictment obtained by German newspaper Bild states that Mr. X is accused of storing weapons in a Vienna facility. It also claims he pre-recorded a video, filmed while armed and masked with a Hamas flag in the background, stating the planned attack was retribution on behalf of Hamas's military wing, the Ezzidine al-Qassam Brigades.

According to the indictment, Mr. X transported five pistols, ammunition, and other items from Berlin to a storage site in Vienna in July. A law enforcement source described him as an "essential" figure in the plot.

Sources indicate Mr. X was part of Haniyeh's security force when Hamas won legislative elections. Between 2009 and 2012, he was allegedly detained by Egyptian officials for involvement with a gun-smuggling tunnel. He left Gaza in 2012 and arrived in Britain by 2015.

The Home Office, during Theresa May's tenure, reportedly granted Mr. X asylum, though the extent of the authorities' knowledge of his alleged role within Hamas is unclear. He was later granted citizenship and resided in suburban England with his family. Company House records suggest he has used multiple identities.

Online pictures show Mr. X accompanying Haniyeh, including one instance of him escorting the Hamas leader in Gaza. Haniyeh was assassinated in Tehran in July 2024. He had previously described the October 7 attacks as "an earthquake that struck the heart of the Zionist entity."