Germany has initiated a comprehensive investigation into members of the Islamist organization Hamas for alleged crimes including murder, manslaughter, and hostage-taking.

A spokesperson for the federal public prosecutor confirmed this development on Tuesday.

Under German law, prosecutors are required to investigate suspected crimes committed abroad when they involve German citizens. This investigation stems from the recent actions of Hamas during its weekend attack on Israel.

The German foreign ministry disclosed on Monday that German citizens were among those abducted by Hamas, the Islamist movement controlling Gaza. However, precise numbers were not provided.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, in a joint news conference with French President Emmanuel Macron, expressed their commitment to working closely with Israel regarding the kidnapped and missing individuals. They are determined to do everything possible to secure the freedom, lives, and health of these German citizens.

The Bild newspaper initially reported on this investigation, highlighting that the families of the kidnapped individuals have sought assistance from the German government.

Over the weekend, Hamas launched a significant attack, resulting in fighters entering Israeli towns, causing hundreds of casualties, and abducting dozens of people. Hamas, an organization that seeks the destruction of Israel, defended its attack, citing the dire situation in Gaza due to a 16-year-old blockade and the most substantial Israeli crackdown in years in the occupied West Bank.

This investigation further underscores the gravity of the situation and the international response to the recent conflict between Hamas and Israel. As the legal proceedings progress, German authorities are actively engaged in addressing the issue and advocating for the safety of their citizens. Photo by Soman, Wikimedia commons.