Terror researcher Magnus Ranstorp on Hamas’ plans: Not surprised

During Saturday evening, the Israeli prime minister’s office stated that an attack was planned against the Israeli embassy in Stockholm.

Terror researcher Magnus Ranstorp is not surprised.

– It is of course worrying if Hamas tries to plan attacks, he says.

The increasingly tense situation in the war down in the Gaza Strip has led to an increased threat image against Jewish and Israeli targets in Europe, according to terrorism researcher Magnus Ranstorp. He says he is not surprised by tonight’s information.

– It is of course worrying if Hamas tries to plan attacks. Those I spoke to knew that there was something because the threat had already been high against the embassy and Israeli targets in Sweden, he says.

“Trend Break”

The security situation and the seriousness have worsened and will continue for a longer time, according to Ranstorp. After the arrests in Denmark in December, he thinks he sees a break in the trend.

– Hamas’s activity in Europe has previously been related to political and financial support. But with the latest developments in Denmark, it is a break from the trend, which is extremely worrying.

According to Ranstorp, the high tone of reporting in Arabic-speaking media has had a polarizing effect that has led to a radicalizing breeding ground.

– If you look at Arabic-speaking media, the situation is constantly exaggerated and very graphic with images of violence and death. It is taken in by those who check and can have a radicalizing effect, he says.

Especially when it comes to social media.

– There has been a high level of signal intelligence and what has been picked up on social media is that there is a high level of activity around doing something against Israeli and Jewish targets.

“Creates fertile ground for radicalization”

If Ranstorp believes that future attacks in Sweden may happen, he does not want to say.

– I dare not speculate on that, but I would like to say that the conflict will get much worse before it gets better, which creates a breeding ground for radicalization and possible targets in Europe.

– So you’re on edge.

“Would raise eyebrows”

Hamas has no history of carrying out attacks abroad, says Aron Lund, Middle East analyst at the Total Defense Research Institute (FOI), to TT.

– I would raise my eyebrows if Hamas has done something like this, on the other hand, so much has happened since October 7th, so it cannot be ruled out that the organization or parts of it have changed, and may be doing things that are not should have been done earlier, says Lund

At the same time, it is important to see Israel’s statement as a party submission from one of two sides in the war, he thinks.

– I think it is wisest to wait and hear what the Swedish authorities have to say about this.