Palestinian man arrested in Greece over alleged Hamas-linked terror plot

Greek authorities have arrested a 37-year-old Palestinian man in Crete on suspicion of links to Hamas and involvement in preparations for a terrorist attack, police said on Saturday.

The suspect was detained in the town of Agios Nikolaos, where he had reportedly been living for nearly two years and working at a hotel. According to police, the investigation was launched following intelligence linked to individuals recently arrested in Cyprus on terrorism-related charges.

In a statement, police said the suspect was allegedly connected to those arrested in Cyprus and had received training from Hamas. The case is being handled jointly by Greece’s National Intelligence Service and counterterrorism authorities.

Greek media reported that investigators are examining whether the suspect was planning an attack against Israeli-linked targets. Reports also suggested that an Israeli cruise ship scheduled to arrive in Crete this week may have been among the potential targets, although authorities have not officially confirmed this.

During searches of properties in Crete and the Athens district of Patissia, police reportedly seized mobile phones, a laptop, storage devices, bank cards, laboratory equipment and chemical substances. Investigators believe the suspect was still in the preparatory stage and had not yet assembled an operational explosive device.

According to media reports, the suspect, who is believed to be from the Gaza Strip and legally residing in Greece, was allegedly part of a three-member cell. Two suspected associates had previously been arrested in Cyprus.

Authorities are continuing to examine the suspect’s communications, movements and digital data as part of the ongoing investigation. No further details have been released.