FRANKFURT: Germany on Thursday said raids were underway in four regions on the homes of members and supporters of alleged Hamas and another Palestinian organisation which are banned in the country.

Interior Minister Nancy Faeser said in a statement that they are carrying out action “by banning Hamas and Samidoun in Germany”. The statement added Germany will not tolerate any ‘‘apology or support for Hamas’’.

The interior ministry said 15 properties had been raided so far since 6am (local time) after courts in four regions ordered the raids.

Germany on Nov 2 banned Hamas and Samidoun. There are an estimated 450 Hamas members in the country, according to official figures.

The ministry said that while Hamas members had not staged “violent action” in Germany so far, they had tried to raise funds to help the group overseas and “influence the social and political discourse in Germany”.

It said Samidoun on the other hand “denies the right of Israel to exist”.

Published in Dawn, November 24th, 2023