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A suspected Hamas terrorist was arrested on the Greek island of Crete Sunday, foiling what authorities believe was a planned attack on an Israeli cruise ship carrying hundreds of tourists. The 37-year-old Gaza native, who had been granted asylum in Greece just a year ago, was taken into custody after police discovered his alleged ties to a broader Hamas terror network operating across Europe.
According to investigators, the suspect had traveled to Malaysia with one of four suspected Hamas terrorists arrested in Cyprus last month, where they allegedly received training in manufacturing explosives using commercially available chemical agents. Greek police found mobile phones, a laptop, external hard drives, and bank cards during searches of homes in Crete and Athens. The suspect had also placed an online order for chemical agents that could be used to produce explosives.
The intended target was the MS Crown Iris, an Israeli-owned cruise liner scheduled to arrive in Crete on Tuesday. The ship has become a recurring flashpoint at Greek ports, with protesters demonstrating against its presence since last year. Critics allege the cruise line profits from the ongoing conflict by offering services to Israel Defense Forces soldiers during breaks from active duty.
This arrest is part of a sweeping counterterrorism operation involving Israeli and European intelligence agencies. Cypriot authorities arrested two Palestinians on May 22 after discovering materials that could be used to manufacture explosives, followed by two more arrests on May 29. The coordinated crackdown reveals the disturbing reality that terror networks continue operating within Western nations, even as their sympathizers demand open borders and unchecked migration.
How many more asylum seekers with terror ties are living among us, waiting for the right moment to strike? When will European leaders recognize that unvetted migration from terror hotspots poses an existential threat to their own citizens? The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities have not yet announced formal charges.
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