Berlin arrests three men over Hamas-linked plan to attack Jewish sites

German authorities arrested three men in Berlin on Wednesday on suspicion of preparing attacks on Israeli or Jewish institutions in Germany on behalf of the Palestinian group Hamas, federal prosecutors said. The suspects were detained in raids that turned up several firearms, including an AK-47 assault rifle, multiple pistols and a substantial amount of ammunition, officials added. They are due to appear in court Thursday, when a judge will decide whether they should be held in custody pending trial.

Federal prosecutors identified the three under German privacy rules only as Abed Al G., Wael F. M. and Ahmad I. Two of the men are German citizens and prosecutors said the third was born in Lebanon. A security source put their ages in the 30s or 40s. Investigators allege the suspects were involved in procuring weapons since earlier this summer and may have been preparing the firearms for assassinations or other violent operations targeting Israeli or Jewish institutions in Germany.

Searches connected to the investigation took place in Leipzig and in Oberhausen in the state of North Rhine Westphalia, prosecutors said. Forensic technicians are examining the seized arsenal as police...