Germany raids homes of alleged members and supporters of Hamas and Samidoun

German police raided the homes of what they said were members and supporters of Hamas and another banned Palestinian organisation on Thursday.

The interior ministry said around 500 members of the security forces were involved in the operation, which target 13 places in the capital Berlin.

"By banning Hamas and Samidoun in Germany, we have sent a clear signal that we will not tolerate any apology or support for Hamas's barbaric terror against Israel," Interior Minister Nancy Faeser said earlier on Thursday.

"Islamists and antisemites must not feel safe anywhere."

The Samidoun Palestinian Prisoner Solidarity Network was banned in Germany on 12 October after Chancellor Olaf Scholz said members of the group were celebrating the 7 October attack by Hamas on southern Israel.