Authorities in Cyprus and Greece are investigating what they believe is an alleged Hamas-linked network operating across the eastern Mediterranean, following the arrest of a 37-year-old Palestinian man in Crete and the detention of four Palestinian suspects in Cyprus.

Asked whether there had been a possibility of an attack being carried out in Cyprus, President Nikos Christodoulides declined to comment on matters relating to national security.

“Absolutely no public statement concerning the country’s security,” he said.

“The only thing I wish to say is that all state services work daily, without it becoming a subject of public debate, to protect Cypriot citizens. The security of the country, security in all sectors, is our highest priority.”

Christodoulides said the government’s responsibility was to ensure the safety of citizens and that authorities worked towards that goal on a daily basis.

“Almost every day there are issues that we manage without them seeing the light of publicity,” he said.

Asked whether he is personally briefed on such matters, the president said he is informed whenever necessary by the competent ministers and relevant state services.

The latest developments emerged after Greek authorities arrested the 37-year-old in a joint operation code named “Odin”, involving Greece’s National Intelligence Service and counter-terrorism police. Investigators allege he had links to individuals already under arrest in Cyprus and had travelled to Malaysia, to a Hamas training site, to receive training in the manufacture of explosives using commercially available chemicals.

Earlier in a statement, Greek police said the 37-year-old Palestinian was arrested in Crete on Saturday following a joint operation by the counter-terrorism unit and the National Intelligence Service (EYP). Authorities said a case had been filed against him on allegations of membership of Hamas, as well as receiving training and travelling for terrorist purposes. Investigators said intelligence information indicated possible links between the suspect and individuals who had recently come under investigation in another European country in connection with terrorism cases, while evidence relating to alleged training in the manufacture of improvised explosives is also being examined.

Police said the suspect had been living and working in Crete and had allegedly placed online orders for explosive materials. Searches carried out at properties in Crete and the Athens region led to the seizure of mobile phones, a laptop computer, portable data storage devices, bank cards, a laboratory-grade precision scale and a magnetic laboratory stirrer with a heated plate. Greek authorities said the suspect would be brought before the competent prosecuting authority, while investigations continue.

According to a report by Phileleftheros, the suspect admitted during questioning that he had maintained contact with individuals arrested in Cyprus and had participated in activities aimed at carrying out an attack against Israeli targets in a European country. Authorities have not publicly identified a specific target and stress that the alleged plot was still at a preparatory stage.

Investigators believe the Crete suspect trained at the same camp in Malaysia as at least two of the Palestinian men arrested in Cyprus. The shared training programme is said to be one of the key links connecting the Cyprus and Greece investigations.

According to the report, the Cyprus investigation began in May after intelligence-led operations resulted in the arrests of four Palestinian men. Two of the suspects, aged 32 and 38, are believed by investigators to have played central roles in the alleged network, while two others, aged 54 and 57, are suspected of acting as accomplices. The 32-year-old suspect, who was living with his wife and child in an apartment in the Kamares area of Larnaca, allegedly told investigators that the group had been preparing attacks against Israeli targets in Cyprus. The older pair are reported to have lived in Cyprus for many years and hold Cypriot citizenship.

Police allege that searches at properties linked to the suspects uncovered significant quantities of materials that could potentially be used in the manufacture of explosives. Investigators reportedly found substances including ammonium nitrate at properties in the Governor’s Beach area and in Larnaca, with forensic examinations continuing.

One of the suspects is alleged to have been living illegally in Cyprus after crossing from the north, while investigators are examining whether additional individuals on the island may have had knowledge of or involvement in the alleged activities.

Security sources quoted in Greek media have suggested the alleged network may have been considering attacks against Israeli-linked interests in Europe. However, authorities have not confirmed any intended target and say investigations remain ongoing.

Asked by the Cyprus Mail about the case, police spokesman Vyron Vyronos declined to comment on operational details. “I cannot comment on matters that are important to national security, adding that “as the police, we are always on alert.”

The investigation continues in both Cyprus and Greece, with authorities analysing electronic evidence and financial records as they seek to establish the full scope of the alleged network.