Hamas chief's bodyguard won British citizenship then 'plotted terror attack' against Jews in Europe

From the Newshound archive · first published 26 September 2026 · last updated 28 September 2026.

A man who served on the personal security detail of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh was awarded UK refugee status in 2015 despite his known terrorist links, then later allegedly plotted attacks on Jewish targets across Europe. The married father in his forties changed his name multiple times and worked as an IT consultant in the suburbs of a large English city, operating under deep cover. Mossad and German intelligence uncovered the plot and alerted the National Crime Agency, which arrested him in central London last November. He now faces extradition to Germany, where he is accused of leading a plot timed to coincide with the anniversary of the October 7 massacre.

The alleged plot targeted Jewish community centres, pro-Israel demonstrations and Israeli diplomats last October.

Haniyeh, whose bodyguard Britain sheltered, had himself been arrested in Egypt for running an arms and gold smuggling tunnel into Gaza.

German authorities coordinated with counterparts in Austria, Denmark and the UK to make arrests across multiple countries.