German police raid homes connected to Hamas, pro-Palestinian groups

German police carried out raids on homes in several cities across Germany, targeting individuals suspected of belonging to the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas and pro-Palestinian organizations.

The raids, which took place in four states across Germany, targeted residences belonging to people suspected of providing financial and political support to Hamas.

The German authorities have accused Hamas of providing funds to the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), a pro-Palestine organization that is considered a terrorist group by the United States and the European Union.

The police raids come as Germany is increasingly cracking down on organizations and individuals with alleged ties to radical Islamic groups. Earlier this month, the government banned the “Hizbul-Tahrir” association as part of its effort to combat radical Islamic extremism in the country.

The raids also come at a sensitive time in German-Palestinian relations, following recent clashes between Israeli forces and Palestinian protesters in Jerusalem which resulted in more than 200 people injured.

Germany has strongly condemned Israel’s actions in the Palestinian territories, while continuing to maintain good diplomatic relations with the country.