Trained by Hamas and Plotting a Terrorist Attack: Palestinian Arrested in Greece
Greek police have arrested a Palestinian man accused of planning “terrorist acts” on behalf of Hamas, according to a statement issued late on Saturday evening.
According to AFP, the 37-year-old suspect was arrested on the island of Crete, where he was employed at a hotel.
Details of the Alleged Plot
In a statement, police said: “Based on the information available so far, he is connected to individuals recently arrested in Cyprus on terrorism-related charges,” adding that there is information indicating he received training from Hamas.
Greek media reported that the suspect may have intended to target an Israeli cruise ship scheduled to arrive in Crete on Tuesday.
The state broadcaster ERT reported that the man had rented an apartment in central Athens, where police discovered laboratory equipment and chemical substances that could be used in the manufacture of an explosive device.
Links to a Hamas-Associated Cell
The arrest of the Hamas-affiliated Palestinian has revealed connections to ongoing security investigations in both Cyprus and Greece, uncovering links between a cell suspected of ties to Hamas and the suspect recently detained in Crete amid allegations of plans to attack Israeli interests and possibly a cruise ship.
The arrest came just days after four Palestinians were detained in Cyprus in late May as part of a large-scale counterterrorism operation involving intelligence and security agencies from both countries.
The suspect appeared before a prosecutor in the city of Agios Nikolaos and faces terrorism-related charges. He is expected to be transferred to Athens for further investigation.
According to the Greek newspaper Proto Thema, the suspect received training at a Hamas camp in Malaysia. Investigators also believe that two of the individuals arrested in Cyprus underwent training at the same facility.
Available information suggests that the case began to unfold after two suspects in Cyprus were arrested while receiving a package containing components that could be used to manufacture an explosive device, leading investigators to the suspect in Crete.
During a twelve-hour interrogation, the man allegedly admitted that he intended to carry out an attack on behalf of Hamas, according to Greek media reports.
Investigators believe that the cell was planning a large-scale operation aimed at bringing Hamas back to the forefront of the global terrorist landscape. Potential targets reportedly included Israeli interests and possibly a cruise ship.
The investigation also indicates that the suspect had learned how to manufacture improvised explosives using commercially available chemicals.
During a search of his apartment in the Patissia district of Athens, police discovered tools and equipment that could be used to assemble a bomb. However, he had not yet obtained the necessary chemical materials, which investigators believe he was about to receive.
The suspect has family members in the Gaza Strip and faces serious criminal charges related to terrorism.
Confidential Investigation in Cyprus
Alongside the Greek investigation, Cypriot security and intelligence services are continuing what has been described as a highly confidential inquiry involving four Palestinians arrested in connection with the same case.
Cypriot authorities believe the suspects were planning to target Israeli interests within Cyprus.
Police arrested two men aged 32 and 38 after linking them to substantial quantities of materials used in the production of explosives. Two additional men, aged 54 and 57, were also arrested on suspicion of providing support to the cell.
The detention of the two older suspects attracted particular attention because they had lived in Cyprus for many years and held Cypriot citizenship.
A court in Larnaca extended the detention of the 54- and 57-year-old suspects by five days during a closed hearing. In a separate proceeding, the detention of the other two suspects was extended by four days on charges related to terrorism and organized crime.
Reports indicate that one of the suspects admitted that the cell intended to target Israelis, although he did not disclose the specific locations included in the alleged plan.
Materials Used in Explosive Manufacturing
Investigators believe that the 32- and 38-year-old suspects played key roles in the plot, while inquiries continue to determine whether additional individuals were involved in Cyprus.
The 32-year-old suspect had lived in Cyprus for several years and was connected to a residence in the Governor’s Beach area as well as an apartment in the Kamarès district of Larnaca.
During searches of both properties, police discovered materials used in the manufacture of explosives, including ammonium nitrate, which investigators believe had been purchased on the local Cypriot market.
The investigation also linked the 38-year-old suspect to these materials. He had been residing illegally in Cyprus after entering from the northern part of the island.
Police discovered the first large cache of explosive-making materials at the Governor’s Beach residence on May 21, before uncovering a second stockpile two days later in an apartment in the Kamarès area.
All seized materials have been sent to specialized laboratories for forensic and technical analysis. Investigators are awaiting the results, which are expected to be released in the coming days.
Police confirmed that the investigation remains ongoing.
