Law enforcement officials in Greece have taken a 37-year-old Palestinian man into custody over allegations he was planning a terrorist attack targeting an Israeli-operated cruise ship scheduled to arrive in Crete this week, Cyprus Inform reports.
The suspect was apprehended Saturday evening following a collaborative investigation between Greek and Cypriot intelligence agencies. Originally from Gaza, the man had been granted political asylum in Greece and was employed at a hotel in Agios Nikolaos, Crete.
Officials say he was allegedly plotting an attack against a cruise vessel operated by Mano Maritime set to arrive at the port on Tuesday. Greek intelligence officials determined the suspected plot had not advanced beyond the planning stages.
During questioning, investigators report the man confirmed his affiliation with Hamas and acknowledged maintaining communications with people recently taken into custody in Cyprus on terrorism-related charges.
Law enforcement officials also revealed his connection to two Palestinians detained in Cyprus on suspicion of terrorism offenses. Police believe all three suspects were part of the same operational cell.
According to investigators, the men had received Hamas training together in explosive handling and deployment techniques.
The detention came after intelligence was shared from Cyprus, where officials recently made arrests linked to Hamas operations and bombing incidents in Jerusalem. The Hellenic Police stated the operation required coordination between Cypriot intelligence services, Greece’s National Intelligence Service, and the Anti-Terrorist Service.
During the investigation, security teams conducted searches at several sites across Crete and Athens. Officials confiscated electronic equipment, including a laptop computer and cell phones, as well as bank cards and laboratory materials. Authorities said chemicals and measuring devices found during the searches were suspected to be for creating explosive devices.
Greek state broadcaster ERT reported the suspect had previously leased an apartment in downtown Athens.
No additional arrests have been announced by Greek authorities. The investigation remains active as security officials analyze evidence gathered during the operation and examine the suspect’s reported connections to those detained in Cyprus.
