Greece arrests suspected Hamas operative said planning terror attack on Israeli cruise ship
Gaza man, granted asylum in Greece, was reportedly planning to target Israeli vessel due in Crete on Tuesday; material to make bombs said found in his home
Greece on Saturday arrested a Palestinian man suspected of being a Hamas operative and planning to carry out a terrorist attack against Israeli targets, police said.
The police statement did not identify the target of the attack, but local media said he was believed planning to attack an Israeli cruise liner.
The 37-year-old was arrested on the island of Crete, where he was working in a hotel, media reports said. Police said in a brief statement the man is also under investigation for traveling abroad to undergo training.
Searches in homes in both Crete and the Greek capital, Athens, turned up a number of mobile phones, a laptop, external hard drives and bank cards.
State TV ERT said police also found laboratory equipment and chemicals that could be used to make a bomb.
The suspect will appear before a magistrate later Sunday.
The Ynet news site reported that the man arrived in Greece from Gaza a year ago and was granted asylum. He was arrested on Crete after 15 days of surveillance by Greek intelligence services in cooperation with foreign intelligence agencies, the outlet reported.
Greek police have also linked him to a cell of four other Palestinians recently arrested in Cyprus for “terrorism-related offences,” the police said in a statement, adding that he had allegedly received training from the Hamas terrorist organization.
Greek media reported that the suspect may have been targeting the Israeli-owned Crown Iris cruise ship due to arrive in Crete on Tuesday. Greek authorities were also said to be examining whether he may have been targeting other Israeli sites or interests in Europe.
Last year, the Crown Iris was blocked by Palestinian protesters who prevented the Israeli passengers from disembarking onto the Greek island of Syros. It was rerouted to Cyprus.
Ynet reported that the suspect. who has two children still in Gaza, was recruited by Hamas while he was still living there. Greek authorities found that he had traveled to Malaysia, where he received additional training in making explosives.
Police said he admitted to being a Hamas operative and waiting to receive instructions on carrying out the planned attack.
Investigations are ongoing, police said.
The Times of Israel Community.