Munich’s ‘Eclipse’ Restaurant Attacked: Who is Behind the HAYI Terror Network?
At 1 AM on April 10th, the phone of Grigori Dratva, co-owner of the Israeli restaurant ‘Eclipse’ in Munich, rang. He rushed to his establishment, watching the surveillance camera footage on his phone. “When I saw and heard the explosion in that video, the feeling became even more uneasy,” Dratva recalls. He had always been aware of the danger, which is why he installed the camera. The footage shows multiple explosions and shattered glass, turning the ‘Eclipse Grillbar’ into the target of an attack in the heart of Munich.
Confession Videos and a Europe-Wide Attack Series
Investigations into the attack are ongoing. A few days after the incident, a confession video surfaced under the name Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamiya, or “HAYI” – meaning the “Islamic Movement of the Companions of the Righteous.” This network has claimed responsibility for several recent attacks across Europe, primarily targeting Jewish or Israeli interests.
The first attack claimed by HAYI was on March 9, 2026, when an explosive device detonated at the synagogue door in Liège, Belgium. This marked the beginning of a series of assaults across the continent. Following Liège, targets included Rotterdam, Amsterdam, Antwerp, London, Paris, and eventually Munich.
Research by ‘report München’ reveals that confession videos for all these attacks are available online, some accompanied by a song titled “Preparation for War,” originating from Iran.
Who is Behind HAYI?
The wave of attacks, primarily on Jewish and Israeli targets, began shortly after the Iran-Israel conflict escalated on February 28th, when Israel and the US launched initial strikes on Iran. Tehran subsequently retaliated against Israel and various targets in the Gulf states.
Soon after, HAYI emerged, with confession videos appearing on various social media channels. Experts suspect a pro-Iranian terrorist organization is behind HAYI. However, terrorism expert Hans-Jakob Schindler from the Counter Extremism Project warns against prematurely labeling HAYI as a classical terror group. He suggests the name might serve as a “narrative framework” for “various commissioned operations.” This remains unconfirmed.
The Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution warns of HAYI’s announcement “to no longer limit itself to ‘simple’ attacks but to include more dangerous means of action in the long term.” Indeed, just days ago, two men were attacked with knives in a Jewish-dominated district of London, an attack also claimed by HAYI via a confession video.
Growing Fear Among Jews Across Europe
Gady Gronich, Executive Director of the Conference of European Rabbis, views this development with great concern. The organization represents over 1,000 orthodox rabbis in Europe. Gronich, who has lived in Munich for over 30 years, states that many Jews are increasingly afraid of being identified as Jewish, for example, when wearing a kippah or speaking Hebrew in public.
Gronich’s office is only a few minutes’ walk from the ‘Eclipse Grillbar’ in Munich’s Maxvorstadt district. After the April attack, there was solidarity, but also antisemitic reactions online. The Munich police have offered a 5,000 Euro reward for information leading to the apprehension of those responsible for the ‘Eclipse’ attack.
The Unanswered Questions
- What is the true nature of the HAYI network and its organizational structure?
- To what extent is the Iranian regime directly involved in orchestrating these attacks?
- How will European security agencies adapt their strategies to counter this new, seemingly decentralized threat?
- What measures are being taken to protect Jewish communities across Europe from further attacks?
The escalating situation demands a comprehensive and coordinated response from international law enforcement and intelligence agencies to uncover the full extent of HAYI’s operations and bring those responsible to justice. The fear gripping Jewish communities is a stark reminder of the urgent need for action.
