Hamas plot to bomb Israeli cruise ship foiled

Arab terrorist linked to Hamas arrested in Greece over plot to bomb Israeli cruise ship.

By World Israel News Staff

Greek authorities arrested a 37-year-old Palestinian man in Crete over an alleged Hamas-linked plot to attack Israeli targets, including a cruise ship carrying Israeli tourists, according to Greek police and media reports.

The suspect was detained over the weekend in a joint operation involving Greek intelligence and counterterrorism officers. He had been living in the Agios Nikolaos area of Crete and working at a hotel, according to Greek media.

Police said the man was suspected of planning terrorist attacks and has ties to the Hamas terror organization. He is also being investigated over allegations that he traveled abroad for training.

“According to the information available so far, he was linked to individuals recently arrested in Cyprus for terrorism-related offenses,” Greek police said, adding that he had allegedly “received training” by Hamas.

Greek reports said investigators were examining whether the suspect planned to attack an Israeli cruise ship operated by Mano Maritime that was due to arrive in Crete on Tuesday. Greek City Times reported that authorities suspected the ship was an Israeli-interest target but said no explosives had been found.

Searches of residences in Crete and Athens turned up mobile phones, a laptop, external hard drives, bank cards and laboratory equipment, according to police and European media reports.

Greek public broadcaster ERT said the equipment included liquid dispensers, chemical reagents and precision scales. The report said investigators believe the suspect had ordered chemicals that had not yet arrived and may have intended to use them to prepare a bomb.

The suspect is expected to appear before a prosecutor while the investigation continues.

The arrest appears linked to a broader investigation in Cyprus, where four Palestinian men were detained in May on terrorism-related charges.

Cypriot authorities said they found material that could be used to manufacture explosives in two residences used by one of the suspects. Greek police said the man arrested in Crete had maintained links to at least one of the suspects in Cyprus.

Phileleftheros, a Cypriot news outlet cited by Euronews, reported that the suspect admitted to contacts with others and to taking part in efforts toward an attack on Israeli targets in Europe.

The same report said the plan had not advanced beyond the preparation stage.