By Yiannis Souliotis
The Palestinians arrested so far in Cyprus and Greece are believed to be members of an active Hamas cell, according to information emerging from the investigation.
Five people are currently in custody in connection with the case, while intelligence services are said to have identified at least one additional Palestinian suspect who is believed to have acted as Hamas' local coordinator in Malaysia, a country considered friendly to the organization.
Although he has not been arrested, authorities in both Cyprus and Greece reportedly know his identity. According to Greek police sources, he is believed to be operating out of Kuala Lumpur.
The organizer and the "training trip"
The 38-year-old Palestinian arrested on May 21 at a rented home in the Governor's Beach area of Cyprus is believed to have played a key organizational role within the network.
Authorities allege that he financed a trip to Malaysia in August 2025 that was intended to provide training in explosives and bomb-making techniques.
According to Cypriot police sources, substances that could potentially be used in the manufacture of explosives were found at the property where he was arrested.
Investigators believe the suspect entered the Republic illegally through the occupied areas before settling in Cyprus.
The 38-year-old who financed the "educational trip" to Malaysia was arrested at Governor's Beach near Limassol.
Suspect allegedly planned attack in Greece
A 37-year-old Palestinian arrested last Saturday in Agios Nikolaos, Crete, is also believed to have participated in the Malaysia trip.
Following his arrest, he reportedly admitted involvement with the organization and allegedly told investigators that his objective was to carry out a terrorist attack on Greek soil.
Greek police sources say his presence in Greece can be traced back to 2020 and that he was granted political asylum in 2023.
During a search of a residence linked to him in the Patissia district of Athens, authorities reportedly discovered a precision scale and measuring equipment.
The suspect is also said to have admitted ordering chemical substances that could be used in the manufacture of explosives, although he had not yet received them.
Meeting with alleged Hamas coordinator
Investigators believe the two men who traveled to Malaysia for training in August 2025 met with the alleged Hamas coordinator based there.
A third member of what authorities describe as the core group has also reportedly admitted involvement in the case.
The suspect, a Palestinian national who had been granted asylum in Cyprus, was living with his wife and their 18-month-old child in an apartment in the Kamaras area of Limassol.
The building in which the 32-year-old lived with his family in Kamares, Limassol.
Arrested while collecting a package
In addition to the alleged core members of the network, two Cypriot citizens of Palestinian origin were also arrested in Cyprus as part of the investigation.
According to reports, the two men were detained while collecting a package that authorities suspect may have contained materials that could be used in the manufacture of explosives.
The investigation remains ongoing, with Cypriot and Greek authorities continuing to cooperate closely as they seek to determine the full scope of the alleged network and any potential operational plans.
