Overview
- Greek counter‑terrorism units arrested a 37‑year‑old Palestinian man on Crete during a classified operation that sources say took place on Saturday and targeted a suspected plot against Israeli tourists.
- Authorities have charged the suspect with terrorism offences tied to Hamas membership and receiving training for terrorist purposes, and he is due before a prosecutor as the case moves toward prosecution.
- Searches of properties in Crete and Athens recovered chemical substances, laboratory measuring equipment, multiple mobile phones, laptops and financial documents that police say could be used to make explosives.
- Investigators linked the Crete arrest to four Palestinians detained in Cyprus in late May and say evidence points to overseas training for explosives manufacture, with Malaysia reported as a likely training location.
- The case has prompted an active cross‑border probe by Greek and Cypriot authorities and wider European partners, and it is likely to lead to heightened security checks for Israeli tourists and ships calling at Greek ports.