Britain granted asylum and citizenship to a former bodyguard for Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh who then allegedly plotted terror attacks across Europe. According to the Sunday Times, he was arrested by UK authorities following a tip from Mossad and German intelligence and faces extradition.
The Sunday Times reported on Sunday that Britain granted asylum and citizenship to the former personal bodyguard of Ismail Haniyeh – Hamas's leader in Gaza between 2007 and 2017 who was assassinated in Tehran in 2024 in what is widely believed to be a Mossad operation. Referred to as X by British authorities, the suspect allegedly plotting a terror attack against Jews or Israelis in Germany ahead of the Oct. 7 anniversary, according to The Sunday Times. The courts initially issued 100-year gag order on naming him but following the Times' intervention, it will soon be unveiled.
Despite domestic intelligence awareness of his background protecting Haniyeh, X built a civilian life in England over a decade ago, raising questions for MI5, MI6, and the Home Office.
Prior to last year's arrest, the married father altered his legal identity repeatedly while posing as an IT consultant in suburban England, despite public knowledge of his ties to Haniyeh, tunnel operations in Egypt smuggling arms and gold, and familial relation to senior Hamas leadership. "The media will be able to identify Mr X and report on his many lives — from Gaza and Egypt and Qatar and Turkey to suburban England — in due course," the Times investigations team chief said on X. "Thanks to @DipeshGadher who last week prompted Westminster Magistrates Court to amend an order which prohibited him being named until — yes, you're reading correctly — 2125. The court admitted the century long reporting restriction was erroneous and should not have been so widely drawn."
After claiming asylum in 2015 and securing citizenship, X attended demonstrations outside the Israeli embassy, The Sunday Times stated. Joint intelligence work by Mossad, German authorities, and the National Crime Agency enabled his November arrest in central London.
Bild reported that he faces extradition to Germany for leading one of post-war Germany's gravest terror plots against Jewish centers, diplomats, and pro-Israel rallies.
German indictment records cited by Bild detail his transport of firearms, ammunition, and disguises from Berlin to Vienna, executed alongside seven suspects detained across European nations with an AK47 seized. Furthermore, X recorded a masked video before a Hamas flag framing the operation as vengeance for Hamas' Military Wing
Although currently protected by anonymity during ongoing UK legal proceedings, X will be publicly identified once British trials conclude, following challenges from The Sunday Times against Westminster magistrates' restrictions.
Upon serving any UK prison term, he will face German extradition.
The arrest occurred shortly after Greater Manchester Police detained two individuals to thwart a "fairly imminent" antisemitic terrorist plot, as noted by The Manchester Evening News. A Home Office spokesman stated: "While it is a long-standing rule that we never comment on individual cases or operational matters, we take all steps necessary at all times to protect the nation's security."
