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.

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An Israeli cruise ship was forced to reroute after pro-Palestinian protesters swarmed the port of Syros, Greece.

By World Israel News Staff

A pro-Palestinian mob descended on the port of Syros, Greece, preventing a cruise ship that had departed from Israel from docking and effectively trapping some 1,500 Israeli passengers aboard.

The Crown Iris, operated by Israeli cruise line Mano Maritime, had a scheduled stop at the small port on Tuesday afternoon.

However, the ship did not dock, nor did the captain allow passengers to disembark, after a large group of protesters gathered at the harbor chanting anti-Israel slogans.

“There are about 200 protesters at the port entrance with Palestinian flags,” Daniella, a passenger on the ship identified only by her first name, told Hebrew-language outlet Ynet.

“They won’t let us off the ship… they knew we were coming and waited for us,” she added.

Videos showing Israeli passengers responding to the protest by singing and waving Israeli flags circulated on social media.

Daniella told the outlet that all of the passengers “are in good spirits.”

The protest was reportedly organized by left-wing Greek locals, who said the demonstration was intended to “raise their fists in solidarity with the Palestinians in Gaza.”

According to Channel 12 News, the activists wrote on social media that “it is unacceptable that tourists from Israel continue to be welcomed here while the Palestinians are suffering in the Strip.”

After waiting for about two hours while Greek police failed to disperse the demonstration, the ship changed its route.

The Crown Iris is now headed to the next port on its itinerary, which was reportedly on the nearby island nation of Cyprus.

Speaking to Mako, a passenger bemoaned the decision to skip the stop in Syros.

“There is a matter of precedent here. The demonstrators actually won,” they said.

“The protesters got what they wanted — preventing Israelis from reaching their island.”

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The combination of long range, improved accuracy, and evasion capabilities from interception systems makes these missiles a significant threat.

By Avi Nachmani, JFeed

Iran has a huge and diverse arsenal of ballistic ground-to-ground missiles designed for various ranges – short, medium, and long. The exact number of missiles in the Iranian arsenal is unknown, and the data circulated in the media is far from reality.

Over the years, the Iranians have realized that they need to develop a comprehensive missile system that covers all the required ranges – from nearby enemies in the Gulf states to more distant targets, most notably Israel.

Iran has been focusing on launching three main types of missiles toward Israel:

Emad Missile – The Emad missile is considered one of the most advanced ballistic missiles in the Iranian arsenal. It entered operational service in 2016 and is operated by the missile unit of the Air Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

The innovative capability: The main innovation of this missile is the maneuverability of the warhead after entering the atmosphere. This is known as MARV (Maneuverable Reentry Vehicle) – a maneuverable reentry vehicle.

Advantages of the technology: Evasion from interception systems; through unpredictable trajectory changes, the missile complicates the defense systems’ ability to calculate an accurate interception path.

Improved accuracy: Active guidance systems in the final stages allow for hitting small or moving targets.

Technical data:

Range: 1,700-2,500 km (allows reaching Israel and parts of Europe)

Accuracy: Iran claims an accuracy of 50 meters; Western experts estimate 500 meters or more.

Warhead: 750 kg, with the capability to carry unconventional warheads.

Qader Missile – The Qader missile is a medium-range ballistic missile manufactured by Iranian defense industries. It is an enhanced version of the known Shahab-3 missile, with more advanced capabilities.

Technical Features:

Structure: Two-stage missile (first stage liquid fuel, second stage solid fuel)- Weight: 19 tons; Length: 15.86 meters- Diameter: 1.25 meters;

Different Versions:- Kedar S: Range 1,350 km; Kedar H: Range 1,650 km; Kedar F: Range 1,950-2,000 km

The missile is equipped with an inertial navigation system, and in advanced versions, it also has a GPS system for increased accuracy.

Khaybar Shekan Missile – the new technology: A ballistic missile revealed for the first time in February 2022, representing a leap in Iranian technology.

Advantages of solid fuel: The missile is entirely powered by solid fuel, which gives it significant advantages:

Fast launch: Shorter preparation time for launch; High mobility: Less dependence on fixed infrastructures; Difficult to detect: Smaller time window for identifying and attacking the launcher

Advanced capabilities:- Range: 1,450 km; Maneuverability: Ability to maneuver during atmospheric entry; Lightweight: Significantly lighter than liquid fuel missiles, improving maneuverability and accuracy;

Countering air defense: The missile is specifically designed to penetrate modern air defense systems due to its speed, maneuverability, and relatively low flight path.

The Strategic Significance: The development of these missiles reflects the Iranian effort to create a reliable deterrent capability against Israel and its allies. The combination of long range, improved accuracy, and evasion capabilities from interception systems makes these missiles a significant threat.

Iranians continue to develop and enhance these technologies, with an emphasis on capabilities that will enable them to overcome Israel’s advanced defense systems.

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