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Hamas commander 'killed in Dubai' Hamas commander 'killed in Dubai'
(about 1 hour later)
A senior Hamas military commander has been assassinated by Israel in Dubai, the Palestinian Islamist group claims.A senior Hamas military commander has been assassinated by Israel in Dubai, the Palestinian Islamist group claims.
Mahmoud al-Mabhouh, 50, a founder of the Izzedine al-Qassam Brigades, "died a martyr on 20 January in suspicious circumstances", a statement said.Mahmoud al-Mabhouh, 50, a founder of the Izzedine al-Qassam Brigades, "died a martyr on 20 January in suspicious circumstances", a statement said.
Hamas gave no further details, but vowed to "retaliate for this Zionist crime at the appropriate moment".Hamas gave no further details, but vowed to "retaliate for this Zionist crime at the appropriate moment".
An Israeli government spokesman would not comment, in line with Israel's usual policy on similar allegations.An Israeli government spokesman would not comment, in line with Israel's usual policy on similar allegations.
The authorities in the UAE have also not yet commented.The authorities in the UAE have also not yet commented.
'Close to leader''Close to leader'
A Hamas political bureau member in Damascus, Izzat al-Rishq, told the BBC that Mr Mabhouh, who had been living in Syria since 1989, had been very close to its exiled political leader, Khaled Meshaal.A Hamas political bureau member in Damascus, Izzat al-Rishq, told the BBC that Mr Mabhouh, who had been living in Syria since 1989, had been very close to its exiled political leader, Khaled Meshaal.
Our brother had been a target for the occupier ever since his participation in the kidnapping operation against the two Zionist soldiers Hamas statementOur brother had been a target for the occupier ever since his participation in the kidnapping operation against the two Zionist soldiers Hamas statement
"Mabhouh died a martyr in Dubai on 20 January 2010 in suspicious circumstances that require an inquiry in co-operation with the United Arab Emirates authorities," Hamas said in a statement."Mabhouh died a martyr in Dubai on 20 January 2010 in suspicious circumstances that require an inquiry in co-operation with the United Arab Emirates authorities," Hamas said in a statement.
"We in Hamas hold the Zionist enemy responsible for the criminal assassination of our brother, and we pledge to God and to the blood of the martyrs and to our people to continue his path of jihad and martyrdom," it added."We in Hamas hold the Zionist enemy responsible for the criminal assassination of our brother, and we pledge to God and to the blood of the martyrs and to our people to continue his path of jihad and martyrdom," it added.
Hamas has not given details of how he was killed, but Mr Mabhouh's brother told French news agency AFP that he was killed with an electric shock to the head.Hamas has not given details of how he was killed, but Mr Mabhouh's brother told French news agency AFP that he was killed with an electric shock to the head.
Material had been sent to a Paris laboratory which "confirmed he was killed by electric shock," Fayed al-Mabhouh told AFP. Material had been sent to a Paris laboratory which "confirmed he was killed by electric shock", Fayed al-Mabhouh told AFP.
Hamas said Mr Mabhouh had been responsible for the abduction in 1989 of two Israeli soldiers, who were both later killed. Kidnap and murder
He also masterminded a number of other attacks, for which the Israeli authorities demolished his home in Gaza, it added. Hamas said Mahmoud al-Mabhouh had been responsible for the abduction in 1989 of two Israeli soldiers, who were both later killed.
Mr Mabhouh spent several periods in Israeli custody. After his last release, "he spent his life being hounded by the Zionist occupier until he succeeded in leaving the Gaza Strip," Hamas said. Sgt Avi Sasportas and Sgt Ilan Sa'adon were kidnapped a few months apart as they hitchhiked from military bases to their homes during the first Palestinian Intifada.
Sgt Sasportas's body was discovered close to where he was picked up as he went home to Ashdod.
Sgt Sa'adon's body was not recovered for seven years.
Mr Mabhouh also masterminded a number of other attacks, for which the Israeli authorities demolished his home in Gaza, Hamas added.
He spent several periods in Israeli custody. After his last release, "he spent his life being hounded by the Zionist occupier until he succeeded in leaving the Gaza Strip," it said.
"Our brother had been a target for the occupier ever since his participation in the kidnapping operation against the two Zionist soldiers, and for his role and support for the resistance.""Our brother had been a target for the occupier ever since his participation in the kidnapping operation against the two Zionist soldiers, and for his role and support for the resistance."
Mr Mabhouh's body was flown to Syria on Thursday and his funeral is due to be held in the Yarmouk Palestinian refugee camp, on the outskirts of Damascus, later on Friday.Mr Mabhouh's body was flown to Syria on Thursday and his funeral is due to be held in the Yarmouk Palestinian refugee camp, on the outskirts of Damascus, later on Friday.
RocketsRockets
The Izzedine al-Qassam Brigades have carried out hundreds of attacks and suicide bombings targeting Israeli troops and civilians.The Izzedine al-Qassam Brigades have carried out hundreds of attacks and suicide bombings targeting Israeli troops and civilians.
The Brigades have launched rockets from the Gaza Strip into Israeli towns close to the border.The Brigades have launched rockets from the Gaza Strip into Israeli towns close to the border.
The rocket fire at civilian areas was the reason the Israeli military gave for launching a 22-day attack on Gaza beginning in December 2008.The rocket fire at civilian areas was the reason the Israeli military gave for launching a 22-day attack on Gaza beginning in December 2008.
Hamas's charter effectively calls for the destruction of Israel, although its leaders have more recently said they would consider a long-term ceasefire in exchange for a state on the land Israel occupied in 1967.Hamas's charter effectively calls for the destruction of Israel, although its leaders have more recently said they would consider a long-term ceasefire in exchange for a state on the land Israel occupied in 1967.
Israel has a long history of assassination operations targeting militants. Most famously, in 1987 in Tunisia, agents killed Abu Jihad, the Palestine Liberation Organisation's military leader.Israel has a long history of assassination operations targeting militants. Most famously, in 1987 in Tunisia, agents killed Abu Jihad, the Palestine Liberation Organisation's military leader.
But in 1997, one mission went wrong, when two agents were arrested in Jordan after attempting to poison Mr Meshaal and Israel was forced to hand over an antidote by the US government.But in 1997, one mission went wrong, when two agents were arrested in Jordan after attempting to poison Mr Meshaal and Israel was forced to hand over an antidote by the US government.
More recently, Israel denied that it was behind the assassination of Imad Mughniyeh, the military commander of the Lebanese Shia militant group, Hezbollah, in Damascus in 2008.More recently, Israel denied that it was behind the assassination of Imad Mughniyeh, the military commander of the Lebanese Shia militant group, Hezbollah, in Damascus in 2008.