Greek authorities arrested a 37-year-old Palestinian man in Crete on Saturday in a joint operation by the National Intelligence Service (EYP) and police’s counter-terrorism unit, accusing him of membership in Hamas as well as receiving terrorist training, travel for terrorist purposes and planning attacks.
The suspect is expected to appear before a prosecutor as the investigation continues.
According to Greek authorities, the man is linked to two individuals arrested recently in Cyprus in a separate terrorism investigation. Authorities believe the three formed a Hamas cell, with the Cyprus-based suspects holding leadership roles. Investigators say all three received training from the organization in the manufacture of explosive devices.
The arrest comes weeks after the Cyprus detentions prompted heightened scrutiny of potential militant networks operating in the eastern Mediterranean. Greek security services have remained on alert since the outbreak of the Gaza war in October 2023 amid concerns that regional tensions could spill over into Europe.
Police believe the suspect arrived in Greece from Gaza about a year ago after being granted asylum, a development that is also expected to attract heightened scrutiny. He allegedly rented an apartment in Athens’ inner-city Patissia district and converted it into a makeshift laboratory. After information from the Cyprus investigation linked him to the Hamas network, authorities placed him under close surveillance for roughly two weeks before his arrest.
Police said searches of properties in Crete and Athens led to the seizure of mobile phones, a laptop computer, data-storage devices, bank cards and laboratory equipment. At the Athens apartment, officers reportedly found precision scales, liquid measuring devices and chemical reagents. Investigators believe the suspect had ordered additional chemical materials, which he had not yet received, with the intention of constructing an explosive device.
Authorities assess that once all necessary materials had been assembled, the two suspects arrested in Cyprus would have traveled to Greece to join him in carrying out an attack against an Israeli-linked target in Europe.
Greek investigators have not publicly identified a specific target and have not disclosed whether they uncovered evidence of an imminent attack. Although an Israeli-owned cruise ship is scheduled to call at Crete this week, counterterrorism officials cited by state broadcaster ERT reportedly consider it unlikely that the vessel was the intended objective because the device was not yet operational. Officials nevertheless believe the alleged plot was advancing and that any planned attack was intended to have significant impact.
