Subscribe to Print Edition | Sat., February 23, 2008 Adar1 17, 5768 | | Israel Time: 10:43 (EST+7) web haaretz.com   Back to Homepage Rosner's Domain Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Advertising Books Arts & Leisure Business Real Estate Easy Start Travel Week's End Anglo File

Hezbollah head Hassan Nasrallah. (Channel Two) Last update - 17:49 13/02/2008 ANALYSIS: Hezbollah terror chief was more wanted than Nasrallah By Yossi Melman, Haaretz Correspondent Tags: Hezbollah, Imad Mughniyah  If there is a definition for the term "the snake's head," it is Imad Mughniyah, who started his terrorist activities as a militant with Fatah, and joined Hezbollah afterwards with the establishment of the Shi'ite organization. If Israel is behind this act, it can be seen as the most significant intelligence accomplishment in the war on terror, coming before the assassination of Fathi Shikaki, leader of the Islamic Jihad in 1995. Mughniyah first started as Hezbollah's head of security, afterwards leading their operational command, until he reached his current status of a sort of "super chief of staff." Advertisement In past years he saw himself as the probable successor to Hassan Nasrallah in leading Hezbollah, leaving the shadowy world where he lived most of his life. According to different reports, because of the international hunt for him, Mughniyah frequently changed identities and even underwent through numerous plastic surgeries. Imad Mughniyah was Israel's most wanted terrorist ahead of Hezbollah leader Nasrallah. In the 1990s, foreign reports claim, Israel's Mossad intelligence agency tried to assassinate him in a complex operation in southern Beirut. However, the operation killed his brother, a car shop owner in Beirut. Mughniyah was expected to be present at the funeral, giving an additional chance to assassinate him, but he never showed. Imad Mughniyah was high on the FBI's wanted list as well, for his involvement in the kidnapping of a TWA airliner to Beirut in 1985, where one of the passengers was killed. He was also involved with planning and carrying out a number of kidnappings of Westerners in Lebanon in those same years. Mughniyah could also be seen as Hezbollah's "defense minister"; he was the mastermind behind the international terror attacks of the organization, and had strong contacts with Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps' military wing, the "Al-Quds" force. The force is responsible for the connection with the Shi'ite international community and with Iranian-backed terror groups. Through this cooperation, they carried out the terrorist attacks in Buenos Aires: in 1992 against the Israeli embassy and in 1994 against the Jewish community center in the city. In these terror attacks, more than 100 people were killed. Naturally, Israel had a long list of scores to settle with Mughniyah. Hezbollah is now pointing an accusatory finger at Israel because of this, but the U.S. and Western intelligence agencies had an issue with him, because Mughniyah was considered one of the most dangerous and active terrorists in the world. It must be noted that in the past, there were some terror attacks and assassination attempts on militants in Damascus, especially on the Islamic Jihad- indicating that whoever stands behind this attack is able to reach the heart of the Syrian capital. Following those attacks and attempts, Syria and the Palestinians blamed the Mossad. The assumption that Israel stands behind the act is definitely reasonable, but it is expected that the Israeli government will refrain from taking responsibility- as it has done in the past. Nevertheless, it cannot be ruled out that other intelligence organizations are involved as well in what might be a joint operation- including the Jordanians, who also have scores to settle with Nasrallah. Related articles: Hezbollah terror chief killed in Damascus blast; Hezbollah blames Israel ANALYSIS: Imad Mughniyah - The epitome of the 'Axis of Evil' Argentine intelligence report details Iranian hand in Buenos Aires bombings Bookmark to del.icio.us   Sderot under fire Iron Dome system found to be helpless against Qassams. Hollywood hasbara Actor Will Smith receives damages over alleged praise for Hitler.   1.   Hizbullah`s second in command in Syria, Imad Mughniyeh, was kille 12:04  |  Jean Van Daem 13/02/08   2.   help terrorist go to "paradise" (hell) 12:16  |  nic 13/02/08   3.   BRAVO.FANTASTIC NEWS. FINALLY IMAD GOT WHAT HE SO RICHLY DESERVED 12:19  |  Pavel 13/02/08   4.   good riddance to bad rubbish 12:32  |  happy person 13/02/08   5.   K`ulluullluullllluuuulllliiii iii !!! HA HAH HA HAH 12:39  |  Dror 13/02/08   6.   hezbollah terror and nathalie Durson, Clickfool, and others 12:45  |  Robert 13/02/08   7.   Dead Hezbollah chief 12:51  |  Patrick 13/02/08   8.   bye bye imad 13:04  |  rico 13/02/08   9.   Every dog has his day. 13:17  |  Major R 13/02/08   10.   thank you, Israel. 13:32  |  chris kanaan 13/02/08   11.   THIS IS GOING TO BE A NASTY YEAR 13:39  |  indrajaya 13/02/08   12.   What goes around comes around 13:51  |  Yessir Ibn Badkarma 13/02/08   13.   Sad that a man has so many enemies in high places that it cannot 14:05  |  Virginia 13/02/08   14.   DON`T GO TO SLEEP NASRALLAH! 14:07  |  ZMAN 13/02/08   15.   Sour Grapes 14:12  |  Natallie Durson 13/02/08   16.   # 13 Natallie ,should change you name to Natallie Village Idiot.. 14:50  |  Max Zinger (Mossad 13/02/08   17.   Hey Natsi la la, we have some body parts to trade 15:16  |  La La 13/02/08   18.   Hey Natsi la la, we have some body parts to trade 15:18  |  La La 13/02/08   19.   New Game Started Today 15:19  |  robert 13/02/08   20.   Hezbollah Terror Chief 15:26  |  Steven 13/02/08   21.   Natallie...don`t be so sure of that 15:26  |  Nechama 13/02/08   22.   shouldnt be gloating...but guess wht? I AM .... 15:59  |  Gabriel 13/02/08   23.   MOSSAD IS BACK ON TOP. 16:01  |  Gabriel 13/02/08   24.   Not the Mossad but Syria killed him 16:04  |  Joss 13/02/08   25.   1 would think that a people w. a god of their 16:06  |  bozhidar balkas 13/02/08   26.   Nasrallah will be next 16:36  |  Nathan Mizrahi 13/02/08   27.   Congrats! O Happy Day! 16:37  |  George 13/02/08   28.   Virginia 16:46  |  utagawa 13/02/08   29.   More Analysis: Syria Transparent to Israel Ops 16:48  |  Ovadiah ben Avraham 13/02/08   30.   C I A MAN KILLED ???? 16:52  |  Arik Silverman 13/02/08   31.   Great Jpb, whoever did this.May this bloody killer burn in hell. 16:57  |  Marwan مروان خوري 13/02/08   32.   #11 Indrajaya leave it to you to be annoyued 17:04  |  First Robert 13/02/08   33.   Hanyeh is next not nasrallah... 17:06  |  Zlaw 13/02/08   34.   15 Durson do not worry Nasrallah is Next 17:08  |  ROBERT , MONTREAL 13/02/08   35.   bozhidar 17:10  |  michhell 13/02/08   36.   #22 right on George 17:12  |  Robert in Montreal 13/02/08   37.   Welcome Back Mossad!!! 17:17  |  Zionist Fighter 13/02/08   38.   poor israelis 17:34  |  moody 13/02/08   39.   Durson # 15 17:45  |  ChanahS 13/02/08   40.   Israel and the latest twirl in the endless Dance of Death 18:04  |  Clickfool 13/02/08   41.   DEATH IN THE DARK 18:30  |  Dan 13/02/08   42.   Whomever did it--THANK YOU! 18:34  |  sarah 13/02/08   43.   One must always ask, who benefits from making Israel look bad?? 18:38  |  Allon 13/02/08   44.   BRAVO! 18:53  |  Igor D. 13/02/08   45.   Internal Power Struggle? 19:15  |  CJ 13/02/08   46.   Clickfool in the endless effort to sound like an idiot 22:10  |  Jack Klompus 13/02/08   47.   What`s next 22:17  |  lonesomecharlie 13/02/08   48.   Mkae Israel look bad?? It makes Israel look good 22:56  |  WordBeBorn 13/02/08   49.   COCKROACH SEASON 23:43  |  dan 13/02/08   50.   Assassinating terrorist leaders has good results 01:28  |  Conroy 14/02/08   51.   #5 Dror, Freddie Mercury would have been proud of you 01:33  |  Conroy 14/02/08   52.   if not israel should have been israel, mazel tov, deserved death 02:33  |  ralph 14/02/08   53.   PEACE 04:52  |  Hssein 14/02/08   54.   thats good 04:58  |  sam 14/02/08   55.   Blame Israel 05:16  |  BRL 14/02/08   56.   HUZZAH 07:06  |  Adrian de Klerk 14/02/08   57.   My Best Day in Months 11:00  |  Philip Monroe 17/02/08   58.   Nasty Nasrallah Next 11:04  |  Hate bin Laden 17/02/08   59.   dont celebrate 16:16  |  ali 18/02/08   60.   u seem celebrating 16:29  |  ali 18/02/08   61.   u seem celebrating 16:30  |  ali 18/02/08

Today Online Iron Dome system found to be helpless against Qassams Responses: 177 Nasrallah: We're readying for war with Israel within months Responses: 212 U.S. to announce new aid plan for West Bank, Gaza Strip Responses: 136 Bradley Burston: This November, I'm voting christian Responses: 73 Daniel Levy: Obama's change could be good for Israel Responses: 80 McCain, a supporter of Israel with a 'Judeophile' brother Responses: 113 Rosner's Domain Guests: Jewish women don't want to be shut out Obama has a mainstream Democratic team (WTR) Poll: Is it time for Israel to end the blockade in Gaza? What America wants from an operation in Gaza U.S. victims of Palestinian terror await gov't stance on compensation More Headlines 07:55 Hezbollah chief: We're preparing for war with Israel in coming months 09:03 IDF arrests senior PFLP operative in Nablus refugee camp 08:36 Scholar: N. Korea denies link to alleged Syria nuke facility hit by IAF 09:58 Tory head's calling of Auschwitz trips as 'gimmick' irks U.K. Jews 01:43 Arab leaders threaten to withdraw 2002 land-for-peace offer 23:33 McCain, a supporter of Israel with a 'Judeophile' brother 10:36 Two motorists suspected of speeding killed in road accidents in north 18:01 U.S. to announce new aid plan for West Bank, Gaza Strip 05:44 Over 20 activists hurt in clash with IDF at anti-separation fence rally 02:22 Rice: UN nuclear watchdog report bolsters case for tighter Iran sanctions 19:03 Hamas: We won't rule out any bid for cease-fire with Israel Previous Editions Select Day 22 feb 21 feb 20 feb 19 feb 18 feb 17 feb 15 feb 14 feb 13 feb 12 feb 11 feb 10 feb

Special Offers Advertisement 7589 rockets fired so far HELP US TO HELP THEM Marina Royale Herzelia Pituach Your Luxurious Suite While Staying in Israel Fattal Hotel Chain Perfectly located hotels on best resorts of Israel. ISRAEL BONDS Build Israel Israel bonds - a multi-purpose way to celebrate Israel's 60th Dead Sea Salt Beauty and skin care from the Dead Sea. Coupon code HAARETZ for 10% off! Eldan Rent a Car Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on all online reservations Junkyard Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt

Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | Underground | Site rules |

Haaretz.com, the online edition of Haaretz Newspaper in Israel, offers real-time breaking news, opinions and analysis from Israel and the Middle East. Haaretz.com provides extensive and in-depth coverage of Israel, the Jewish World and the Middle East, including defense, diplomacy, the Arab-Israeli conflict, the peace process, Israeli politics, Jerusalem affairs, international relations, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, the Palestinian Authority, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, the Israeli business world and Jewish life in Israel and the Diaspora.

© Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved