Jerusalem, 9 June, 2026 (TPS-IL) — Cypriot authorities are expected today to ask the Larnaca District Court to refer two of four Palestinian suspects to trial before the Criminal Court in one of the island’s most serious terrorism cases in recent years.
The two men, aged 32 and 38, are regarded by investigators as central figures in what is suspected to be a Hamas-linked cell operating in Cyprus.
Police are also examining whether the suspects had additional accomplices on the island and whether the case forms part of a wider European network.
The suspects are expected to face serious terrorism and organized crime charges. Investigators are focusing on their contacts, movements and procurement activity following the discovery of large quantities of materials that could be used in the manufacture of explosives.
The investigation began to unfold after a cache was found on May 21 at a residence in Governor’s Beach, near Limassol, a coastal area in southern Cyprus. A second quantity of material was discovered two days later in a second-floor apartment in Kamares, Larnaca, which had been under surveillance. Police have linked both sites to the 32-year-old suspect.
According to Cypriot reports, the 32-year-old, who lived in Larnaca with his wife and child, has admitted that preparations were being made in Cyprus for attacks against Israeli targets, allegedly in retaliation for the war in Gaza.
The 38-year-old suspect, who was in Cyprus illegally and is believed to have entered via Turkish-occupied northern Cyprus, has remained silent during questioning.
Investigators believe the two men were involved in obtaining and mixing chemicals, including ammonium nitrate, for the possible production of explosives. Some of the materials were allegedly purchased on the Cypriot market.
Two additional Palestinian suspects, aged 54 and 57, were also arrested. Authorities believe they played supporting roles. Both are long-term residents who have reportedly lived on the island since the mid-1980s and hold Cypriot citizenship.
The investigation has expanded beyond Cyprus after the arrest of a 37-year-old Palestinian in Crete, Greece, who reportedly admitted to Hamas membership and links to the suspects in Cyprus.
Greek reports indicate the man told investigators he had undergone explosives training in Malaysia and that one of the Cyprus suspects had received similar training.
Cypriot and Greek Authorities are now coordinating their investigations, while other foreign security services have also been briefed.
Israel is closely monitoring the case. The Israeli Foreign Ministry said Sunday that “from Greece to Cyprus, authorities continue to uncover Hamas-linked terror activity on European soil.”
Investigators are continuing to assess whether the Cyprus suspects acted as an isolated cell or as part of a broader Hamas infrastructure allegedly intended to facilitate attacks against Israeli or Jewish targets in Europe.