People take part in a rally in solidarity with Palestinians in Berlin, Germany, on November 18, 2023. AFP
"We are carrying out action against radical Islamists. By banning Hamas and Samidoun in Germany, we have sent a clear signal that we will not tolerate any apology or support for Hamas," Interior Minister Nancy Faeser said in a statement.
The interior ministry said 15 properties had been raided so far since 6:00 am after courts in four regions ordered the raids.
Germany on November 2 banned Hamas and Samidoun. There are an estimated 450 Hamas members in the country, according to official figures.
The ministry claims that while Hamas members had not staged "violent action" in Germany, 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 was allegedly "prone to use violence ... and denies the right of Israel to exist".
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