Greek authorities have arrested a suspected Hamas operative on the island of Crete amid allegations that he was preparing an attack against an Israeli-linked cruise ship expected to arrive at the island this week.
The 37-year-old Palestinian electrician was taken into custody on June 6 after investigators reportedly discovered he had ordered chemical substances online that could be used in the manufacture of explosives. Authorities allege the suspect had also undertaken additional preparatory activities, although the materials had not yet been delivered.
The suspect appeared before a Greek prosecutor on June 8. His arrest follows the detention of four other Palestinians in Cyprus who are also suspected of planning an attack against Israeli interests. Greek and Cypriot authorities are investigating possible links between the cases.
According to Greek intelligence sources, the suspect admitted to being a member of Hamas and claimed he was recruited by the organization while living in Gaza with his wife and two children. Investigators are examining communications and intelligence connections between the Greek and Cypriot cases while coordinating with allied intelligence services to determine whether additional Hamas-linked cells may be operating elsewhere in Europe.
The arrests have heightened security concerns in both Greece and Cyprus as the peak summer tourism season begins. Intelligence officials reportedly believe Hamas may be seeking to conduct a high-profile attack in Europe following significant losses suffered by the group in Gaza, as a means of demonstrating its continued operational reach.