Three people were arrested in Cologne over an alleged attack plot targeting the cathedral on New Year's Eve. The attack, which is said to involve a car, has prompted the deployment of extra security measures around the site. It was reported that the three suspects are linked to a Tajik who was arrested on Christmas Eve. Speculations have been made on a car being used as a means of attack, but the specifics are unknown. Sniffer dogs were deployed to search for explosives in the underground parking of the cathedral, but nothing has yet been found.

Protective measures have been considerably heightened, with 1,000 police officers deployed to protect the cathedral and the population of Cologne city center. Interior minister Herbert Reul expressed confidence that New Year's festivities can go ahead, ensuring a calm celebration in Cologne. Germany has been on high alert over possible Islamist attacks in recent weeks. The country's domestic intelligence chief has warned of an increased risk of such assaults, citing the Israel-Hamas conflict as a contributing factor. Germany has seen a surge in antisemitic incidents since Hamas attacked Israel in October.

In retaliation, Germany issued a ban on Hamas activities and organizations linked to the group. This heightened alert comes following the deadliest attack in Germany by Islamist extremists, when an ISIS supporter rammed a truck into a Berlin Christmas market in December 2016, killing 12 people. Amid these escalating tensions, the recent arrests in Cologne serve as a reminder of the ongoing threat posed by potential terrorist attacks.