HERAKLION – Greek authorities arrested a 37-year-old Palestinian man on the island of Crete suspected of being an operative for Hamas and planning a terrorist attack against Israeli targets.
The arrest follows a 15-day surveillance operation conducted by Greek intelligence services in coordination with foreign intelligence agencies. Police report the suspect admitted to being a Hamas operative and was awaiting further instructions to execute the planned attack.
Targeting the Crown Iris
While official police statements did not specify the intended target, local media reports indicate the suspect may have been planning an attack on the Crown Iris, an Israeli-owned cruise ship. The vessel was scheduled to arrive in Crete on Tuesday and dock at the port of Heraklion, a key gateway for international tourism on the island.
The Crown Iris has previously been the site of geopolitical tension. In 2024, Palestinian protesters blocked the ship on the Greek island of Syros, preventing Israeli passengers from disembarking and forcing the vessel to be rerouted to Cyprus.
Greek authorities are currently investigating whether the suspect intended to target other Israeli sites or interests across Europe, including tourist infrastructure, religious or cultural centers, and commercial assets linked to Israel.
Evidence and Explosives Training
Searches conducted at the suspect’s residences in both Crete and Athens yielded a cache of electronic equipment and financial documents, including:
- Multiple mobile phones
- A laptop
- External hard drives
- Bank cards
According to state TV ERT, police also discovered chemicals and laboratory equipment capable of being used to manufacture a bomb, prompting additional forensic tests and a review by Greece’s counterterrorism unit.
Investigations revealed that the suspect was recruited by Hamas while living in Gaza. He later traveled to Malaysia, where he received specialized training in the production of explosives, according to officials briefed on the case.
International Intelligence Links
The suspect arrived in Greece from Gaza one year ago and was granted asylum under the country’s obligations as a member of the European Union and signatory to the 1951 Refugee Convention. At the time of his arrest, he was employed at a hotel on Crete, in an area heavily frequented by foreign visitors.
Greek police have linked the man to a broader operational network, specifically a cell of four other Palestinians who were recently arrested in Cyprus on “terrorism-related offences.” Authorities say the joint investigation relies on intelligence-sharing frameworks within the European Union and with regional partners, under rules that also govern how suspects can be monitored and prosecuted for terrorism offences in line with EU counterterrorism legislation.
The suspect is scheduled to appear before a magistrate on Sunday, when formal charges under Greece’s anti-terrorism laws are expected to be presented. Police confirmed that investigations are ongoing and said further arrests have not been ruled out.