'10 agents including 3 women, took part in Dubai Hamas assassination'

if it was mossad why would they go to iran afterwards- a recent report stated some of the operatives fled to iran as well as switzerland, germany and hong kong. why would an israeli operative take the risk of fleeing to a country that is bent on killing all jews? i would bet either because some of the arab countries are actually working with them (as egypt and jordon are not fond of hammas) or it was not mossad at all

It is a good operation IF it is done by Mossad. (Plausible deniability in the intelligence business ). We Indians should learn from Israel. This is what the average educated middle class hindu thinks.300 million and counting. Guess what? After mumbai terror attacks, EVERYBODY wanted India to become another israel. Congrats.

Why would Israel put this de facto ceasefire at risk by an assassination? First off, it?s impossible to say at this point whether they did ? no evidence has yet been presented to back up Hamas?s claims. Much of the Arab public immediately believed it, though, as it

First of all, someone like Donna(#6) has little clue, IMO, about the US efforts in Middle East. We're viewed as occupiers, much like Israel. I do beleive Israel (incl.Mossad) takes greater care to eliminate collateral damage. However,most are ignorant to what the real battle is, including American Jews and Am ericans in general. I'd even say this of many Israeli citizens. As warped as the CIA is, I don't think the US/World is better off w/o them, nor Israel/World w/o Mossad. Contrary to opinions of many here.

Mossad is doing what international law enforcment should, but refuses to do. There will be no peace until 2 things happen. The uncomprimising of Israels enemies are killed, and then and more importantly, Palestinians are allowed to do business and let their economy grow and flourish. Israel is not the obstacle to the Palestinian economy. Peace will come when Palestinian leaders let the international aid they receive flow into their economy. Additionally, peace will come when the most vicious of murders among them jailed or killed.

Let Israel kill all those who plan and participate in their destruction, no matter where those enemies are. And hopefully, the US will get some brains and nads and do the same. Bravo, Israel! Good job!

if this dead man was such an evil terrorist why not put him on trial? don't human rights apply on all. including killers? and another question: what makes him any different from Israeli politicians and troops that knowingly risk killing civilians, and labelling them as 'collateral damage'? Are they terrorists, too? It is a dilemma really I cannot live with anymore: same actions deserve same responses, and NOT depending on the actor..so in my point of view, killing civilians deserves legal punishment for Palestnians and for Israelis..might be an idealist, but this is the morally just perspective

Who cares who killed him? Everyone is so quick to point fingers. Why should any of us care if this murderer was killed. He killed many people in his day including other muslims like us but yet the press never covers this. I praise whoever killed this man whether it was anyone Irish,Israeli, or Fatah.

It may be true that the Mossad uses dual-nationals for its overseas operations - after all, any state doing clandestine stuff overseas (and an awful lot of states do this stuff to a greater or lesser extent) wants to avoid being obvious about it. However, your posts about loyalty and passports are wrong in two crucial respects: 1) Operatives with dual nationality do not necessarily use their real second nationality; it's preferable to masquerade as a citizen of some third country. Loyalty has nothing to do with it. 2) An agent absolutely, positively NEVER uses his/her own passport (of whatever nation) on a clandestine mission. The reason dual nationals are used has nothing to do with their documents; it's a matter of appearance and accent. This particular "operation" could have been carried out by the Mossad or by any number of other entities; it may even have involved some international cooperation. (There are much stranger bedfellows out there than you'd think.)

saudis egyptian fear iranian influence and will hunt down iranian agents even if they are palestinians.

sir your doomday predictions are not realistic at all, israel has its borders covered and the same goes to the plane ariving and leaving it. the states however is still thinking they have a problem with the extreme muslem because of israel, how naive.turning the light will happend first elswhere, israel can protect itself.

everybody knows it was the isrealis

For those involving in ME,Israel looks like scapegoat.Israel does't need to assassinate such element of terrorism.Look otherside of the game,Hamas's friends in Iran and Syria!!they did it in the past so.History will reveal it.Be sure.

And Binyamin from Orangeburg's suggestion that Mossad assassinations "must by now run into the thousands". He really has let his imagination get the better of him. Why not millions? The number would have as much truth as Binyamin's. One should keep in mind that people in Mabhouh's business make lots of enemies. Lots of people besides Israel wanted him dead.

even a assasination of a depicable person like that one killed brings out the worst enemies of Israel and the jewish people on this site. Why does Haaretz publish such trash and why have those talkbacks? To give air to those loosers?

name another country.

Which majority is that?

o.k peter lets quote you again "I have criticised Israel here repeatedly and specifically the occupation", (this is going to be good). i have read haaretz almost everyday, everyday peter, not once have you ever done what i quoted you, not once, again haaretz archives will prove me right when i call you a liar (if they will for once). so peter, please direct us to the harretz posts where you have criticised Israel here repeatedly and specifically the occupation, go on, i'll be waiting in anticipation.

When I said all races and ethnicities I did not use the term race in a pejorative sense, I just said Israel is an ethnical mosaic which is nice and something to be proud of. As for the allegience: it is okay to have two passports and have feelings for only one of the countries and not for the other one, this is not a defect. I only hold a Turkish passport and I would never want to have another passport but many people I know hold Turkish and US passports and they only care about Turkey, not US and I do not find this strange or immoral because most Americans would not consider them Americans either, so it goes both ways. Many Mossad operatives hold legally double passports and many of them speak the other language better than Hebrew and Mossad has every right to exploit this, I do not understand what you found strange in me saying this. If someone did Aliyah from any country, by default he or she cannot remain loyal to the home country and this is understandable and perfectly Ok.

but you shouldn't have said it (now everybody knows). God, how i wish i was in tel aviv now. you're a lucky guy. you can't imagine what it looks like & feels like in central europe right now. cheers.

Israel is regarded as a big a danger to world peace as Iran and the US under Bush by a numner of polls. Worldwide polls. So its you who are hallucinating my friend. Wake up and smell the coffee. Israel is not as accepted by all as you may think. Not ordinary people certainly. Even heads of state are not unanimous in their support of Israel's tactics in dealing with her antagonists.

enemies sorry this report sounds like fiction. this seems like an inside Arab job where some people he trusted set him up. They are trying to blame Israel funny I am glad another bad soul is off this planet though we have to many good ones to have him hang around. I hope the others in Hamas, Hizbollah, the muslim brotherhood and Iranian mullah and its president follow suit and soon. The planet will be much lighter and happier without them.

A lot more humane than killing dozens in drone attacks, of course.

Hamas charter says to kill all Jews. I wont lose any sleep over the death of one of these monsters. If Hamas respected human life I might feel different, but not with their evil charter.

Elvis Presley did it, whilst being dressed in a burqa. John Lennon was the getaway driver and Marilyn Monroe was the female receptionist.

You are the one who's halucinating.

Can I please purchase the film rights?

Disillusion yourself.

with the majority of the rest of the world.

- isn't that obvious? if not him, then batman, definitely. (sorry, girls, i can't think of any female comics right now.)

REport ststes Egypt and Jordan helped. It doesnt seem right according to report they would help. There are many questions dont jump up with joy that Israel had something to do with it

Arabs wouldn't like the escalation in weapons from Iran. Just out of curiosity, which Arab State do you think would do that? Saudis?

Why search far ? In a well known story,"The Stolen Letter" The Police were called in to find the letter,because it was of utmost importance. The Pplice made a thorough search.Even looking into the hollows of tables & chairs. They divided the rooms into small squares,& made the search when the minister was out of the house. The Stolen letter was in front of everyone to see. On the mantlepiece ! There, the Police didn't search ! Did anyone look under that bloke's bed ?

A marvelous trick of stealth to get 10 people? outside of one door in a hotel at one time without being a bit obvious about something? Was he completely ignored by the Dubai authorities when he got of the plane?

Totally amazing that an important investigation such as this should turn into a joke. From the method of the killing to the number of people involved. The details change with the ebb and flow of the tide. As much as so many of you are chomping at the bit to blame the mossad, I am not in agreement as I do not see Israel taking the chance to open a rift between Dubai and itself at this juncture. But if in fact it does turn out to be mossad then good that they got their man but REALLY STUPID to have done in in Dubai.

This assasination was an extremely pro-palestinian event. With one less sociopathic murderer in the streets, Palestine has become a healthier and happier place. It is not politically correct to say so, but if the Palestinians were more rational and reasonable they would cheer this event.

my 1st question to you is simple: from where did you get it that israelis "have no allegiance to these countries", ie 2nd countries in which they hold citizenship & passports? that's as nonsensical & untrue as any of the 'jew-hate' lies & conspiracy theories held so dear in too much of the arab & muslim world. you obviously know nothing about israelis. 2ndly, there's no such thing as israelis of "all races & ethnicities" (you probably never even bothered to check out what those two terms mean /could mean). there are only two ethnicities as far as israelis are concerned, w/extremely few 'micro-level' exceptions so to speak, namely a-r-a-b & j-e-w. as far as 'race' is concerned, there are very few as outdated words as that one. but people are still very much in love w/the word, mostly not knowing what they're talking about (if only they were able to explain it, at least to them selves). you've got homework to do, mehmet, & stop fooling yourself, man. have a nice day.

PA & Hamas, Hamas & Hamas, Hamas & Islamic Jihad, etc. as well as other individual inter rivalries. For example anyone rember how Hamas ruthlessly killed over 60 Alqueda operatives 3 months ago who were trying to take over Gaza. There is enough chicanery going on amongst all these terror groups and clans that raises many possibilities.

as i said, why bother w/who did this at all? i suspect too many people are really obsessed w/this question for much different reasons than simple curiosity about who's behind it. either it seems like something very bad if the israelis did it, & can be used to keep bashing the country for defending itself by all means possible against enemies who never shy away from using all the dirty tricks in the book. or it has to be someone else than israel 'cause that's just too hard to defend if you love & support the country in the first place. to whoever in this nonsense debate: the important thing is that this guy, now actually disclosed as running the smuggling of arms from iran to gaza, is out of the picture - thank God - & a major blow has been dealt to this activity. the only reason some won't like this is the obvious thing that they in fact support the activity /at least blindly defend it. i understand that it's really hard to admit that.

admitting that this may indeed be interesting, who cares really? whoever it was, if they really were as professional as it seems, they're probabaly also very much capable & in control of being found out, especially being found out by you & me.

Whoever it was. Did a thoroughly professional job. So we are led to believe. For, it appears that the Dubai police have begun to speculate. They have no real idea. Remember the case of the missing child Madeleine in Portugal.? Again, no clues, yet they tried to blame the parents. Returning back to Dubai. Women dressed a Hotel Employees. Strange folk with Irish Passports. So much publicity...! Thats always in the case when the police are stumped. They run to the media. If they really had Intel, they would have kept quiet and caught the perpetrators. Somebody is laughing. Certainly not the widow, as some claim. Or is it.? Call in the LAPD.FBI,BBC,FSB,AA,RSPCA or the Mounties. Good day from snowy Alps.

Mossad is like CIA for external threats while Shin Bet like FBI for internal threats these agencies are not concerned with peace and justice in as much as they are concerned with security of the state and persons inside it yes peace will help, but as 911 showed the world, you can have peace with a country and yet still have nationals of that country be hostile. A well coordinated intelligence units are best defence Lastly, before all the investigator Holmes give their two cents, where is a morsal of proof? Or is it that since Hamas man was killed it is obviously israel? Can this be said if an Israeli Is found dead? That it must be Hamas? Because that is foolish thinking, it's not good to rule ppl out without proof, clouds judgement

This story shows us how Israel desires nothing but more tensions and conflict. Israel thrives with conflict but has never proven it can live with the world, or with her own self, in peace. Stuff like this is so trivial to the grand scheme, it makes one wonder what is the benefit, other than to fuel the flames of hate and tensions. Israel remains a pariah state.

He probably thought it was the high-priced hooker he ordered. Honestly folks, this guy was an evil dude with a long queue of people eager to bump him off. Could have been anybody. The habitual Israel haters who point the finger at Mossad don't have a skerrick of evidence. "Must have been" is not evidence. Let the media indulge in hysterical speculation and jump to conclusions. We're supposed to be better than that.

...and, more suspiciously, hamas didnt have anyone else around in dubai to look after their top-ranking member...hard to believe... timeline: --------------------- * 11:00 pm (mon 18) * (estimated) killers arrive in DBX (police: 24 hours in the country) * 10:00 am (tue 19) * Emirates/fl 912/damascus * 02:30 pm (tue 19) * check in room 130 * 04:00 pm (tue 19) * m leaves for meeting * 09:00 pm (tue 19) * m back in the hotel * 09:00 pm (tue 19) * time of death (DBX police) * 09:30 pm (tue 19) * wife phones, no answer * 11:00 pm (tue 19) * (estim) killers leave DBX * 12:00 pm (wed 20) * (estim) hotelstaff finds m *** the killers knew in advance he would come alone. in fact, it was a precondition for the attack as it was planned. *** the "fully booked plane" is more than strange, there are always no-shows ********** inside job *************

I thought you were an evangelical or a devout and practicing Christian? I know Christians in medieval times were not averse to all manner of evils but that the modern variety was less inclined to celebrate deaths. Even the deaths of their enemies? Would J.C have congratulated anyone on a killing and then made a joke about it? It is pertinent, since being of the Jewish faith I know that there are religious precepts in regard to the death of enemies in battle. For example, we are told that when the 'angels' in rejoice at the demise of the Pharaoh's charioteers in the Red Sea in pursuit of the Israelites- G-D himself rebukes them with these words. "The works of My hand are drowning in the sea and you request to speak of songs?" Perhaps you are more the medieval type of Christian I spoke about?

Its insane to let hundreds of cold blood killers to be out only for one soldier, its leftist idiocy, this government has a brain different from the last that even were in power by a public vote.

- so what's your story then Joe, who are 'we' in tune with these days?

I dont think that Netanyahu et al would like to create the right atmosphere for peace,now they are talking about expelling the Palestinians from israel proper. They complain about Iran trying to build a nuclear bomb, I dont blame them.

War is dirty but your only problem is Israel not what the neighbours do or try to do it.Or ever have done Your need to pontificate is very limited in scope as you demonstrate daily.i That way you can "prove" anything.

You must be really in tune with Israel fom your ice perch in Norway. You should give up political commentary and stick to ski jumping.

A preliminary investigation conducted by Hamas suggests that the assassination of one of its officials in Dubai last month was likely carried out by agents of an Arab government, and not by Israel's Mossad spy agency. See http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1146944.html

Thanks When supporters shout Palestine river to the sea I get a bit suspicious about what they really want

do not upset me at all. I stand corrected if you have in fact criticised Israel repeatadly, specially the ocupation - it's just that I haven't noticed it. Usually you seem not to even give Israels side of the argument but refer to crimes comitted by others just as you did in your respnse nr. 18. I support the Palestinians in their struggle for their just rights PETER and am as such am doubtless one sided in my critism, but I don't always support their methods. I am sure there are plenty of positive things about Israel and I have quite a few Israeli friends - albeit of the self-hating sort.

The trend is to blame Israel for anyone knocked off in the Arab/Muslim world (as if it hasn't happened on a daily basis for centuries). How convenient.

Sorry if both sides of an argument upset you. I have criticised Israel here repeatedly and specifically the occupation.Now remind me when did you last criticise anything the other side has done,ever? PS Political scientists are not historians.

Wonder if a book and then a movie will be made? Sure would be interesting.

I don't think I have ever seen you admit that Israel is in the wrong. You rarely, if ever, address the point in question; always referring to crimes committed by some other gruesome regime. Of course you can compare Israel with who you like, but why is what I wonder? Surely all killing is wrong, one murder doesn?t justify another.

Its amazing how posters here are all accusing Israel when nothinbg has been proved and even arab states say it could have been their own countries not the mossad. Jump to conclusion people its easy when Israel is the target isn't it

Israel's enemies looks dizzy when the revenge is took on them, the job is made perfectly inteligent.

The passports the assassins used were probably not forged, they were either stolen passports or belonged to the assassins legally. There is a huge number of Israelis who legally hold a second passports although they have no allegiance to these countries. Israelis come in all races and ethnicities, so all these are very good points which Mossad exploits. Operating in an Arab land is super easy for Mossad, it has always been. In the opposite front, the only country which has really good intelligence on Israel is not USA but Russia and to a lesser extent Germany.

"The team of assassins was most likely much larger than the five-man group in the movie as well. Mossad veterans told Reuters that because of their high priority, every reprisal operation involves a massive number of field agents." So a 10 plus man/woman team is nothing but typical.

Israel is supposed to be "a civilized democracy." A nation with respect for the rule of law. That's a joke, right? BTW, PeterSM, (your "missing my outrage")there are many times I do not post a comment on Haaretz when there are crimes committed by Jews against other Jews in Israel.

In an interview about the Spielberg film on Munich,former Mossad agent Gad Shimron says that teams in the field always include some women in order to avoid arousing suspicion. "It's standard practice to include female agents in such operations," he told Reuters. "Anyone who has been on a stakeout knows that having a lady on hand helps you avoid being spotted." Shimron also said that unlike in the film, the revenge squads probably did not contain document forgers, as such personnel would not have the time necessary to produce high quality documents due to the short duration of their missions. The team of assassins was most likely much larger than the five-man group in the movie as well. Mossad veterans told Reuters that because of their high priority, every reprisal operation involves a massive number of field agents.

with that many people involved. even seven is odd for a hit on one guy. then again, all that most people know is what they're being fed by various sources... and the dubai investigators may be putting up a smokescreen for all WE know. interesting anyone could KNOW the sequence of events, how entry gained, etc...when only the dead man and his killers were there at the time.

this claim sounds like a fishing expedition.

To ask if they how assassins and agents of another intelligence service acquired Irish passports. Maybe they were fake.

How sad & foolish that there is all this speculation. Speculation just feeds hatemongers and does nobody any good. Why not let the Dubai authorities do their job and when there is a report we can all make up our own minds.

10 agents against one man alone? Mossad agents are no longer what they used to be... That's pathetic.

when they ask egy/jordan for "support", it could mean, the suspects were citizens of those countries, or had another obvious connection to them. (more likely imo, than to assume, dbx csi asks for general help in a murder case) and for the death by injection: is there still anyone who doesnt know this leaves a hole in the skin, which in an authopsy always(!) raise suspicions ? oh my... how do they know, the women dresses as employee ? is there cctv on the hotel floors ? then, they should have had those clues really earlier. two weeks after the murder, they still talked about someone hiding in the room... i find it strange, that they ask Hamas to stay out of the investigation.... either, they dont want to deal officially with these criminals or they suspect them of involvement...(?) and - initially they spoke about 7 assailants, 4 (four) of them irish passports. nothing about the 3 others. at least an update...

Like any organization would dedicate 10 people to such a risky operation on foriegn, hostile territory. They can't even get their story straight. 7 people with Irish passports, 10 with European. It was one to two operatives, three at most. No agency in their right mind would either want or need to expose themsevles by involving 10 agents in such a small operation.

girl alive OK.? Is it honorable? Missed your "outrage" that day. Does your side use deception in their kidnap murder of Israelis? Like the kidnap murder of the 2 soldiers by this martyr who in his interview on Al Jazeera proudly boasted of the Israeli blood on his hands and how he wanted to become a martyr. Your sham rage and selective morals is a joke.

It looks like the game is over, the cover is blown - it was the Histadrut!

Just one question for all Jew haters. Don't you wonder about this Hamas leader, allegedely defending the well being of the poor people in Gaza, average income $60 per month, staying for a long time in a hotel where the rooms are $1,000 and up PER NIGHT!! And there are dozens of such leeches in the so-called Palestinian leadership. Who killed him?? Better look at his fellow (Arab) arms dealers. Does asnyone think that the Mossad will endanger 10 "operatives" including three females, for such a low life?? Why don't the Dubai officials release the pictures of the alleged suspects, as they photograph ALL passports?? Surely, because they were Arabs using European documents. Get a life!!

Sounds odd. The Irish, especially the IRA are more natural allies of Hamas than Israel.Interesting to see how it all pans out!

No one has said it is the Mossad! If he was such an important person, did he not have any guards?

Peace and justice cannot be had with an enemy who's entire existence is based on your destruction. If the Palestinians wanted peace and justice they could have had it a long time ago. If the Mossad is actually involved here obtaining peace and justice was not their goal. The goal is the protection and preservation of the State of Israel. Considering the country is still around after 60 years despite being surrounded by religious fanatics seeking to eradicate it, I'd say it's working.

After all these investigations. It is likely that his own wife was with the team rather than the mossad. that was ruled out already by Hamas itself, but Moslims will never believe the innocense of Israel, nor that muslim women finally shrug off the male dominance.

First time around it was 3 days until he was found dead; now it is the next day; first it was 5 people all men;now 7 men & 3 women; first it was suffocation and poison with blood samples to France. What will next chapter say ? Hamas is not even allowed to investigate but keeps releasing different reports.

The Mossad is losing it.... Once again they fail in their covert operations. Israel needs to disolve this old ineffective "entity"

You should be far more ashamed of your country, America, sending Predators into the villages of Pakistan. Predators might kill terrorists but they certainly kill dozens if not hundreds of innocent bystanders too, and destroy houses while at it. Mossad sends operatives into the enemy's lair, taking tremendous risks in order to minimize collateral damage. Please think before you post, and then you won't be sick anymore.

One can only imagine the uproar there would be from the Zionists and their Western allies if Hamas or Hezbollah managed to assassinate, say, Meir Dagan or Gabi Ashkenazi.

Gott zu danken! One down , 10,000 to go.

you brought shame to every jew

Building up their cash supplies now that suggar daddy Ghadaffi has rolled over.

Are you trying to 'comfort' old people or young people? Right up to the end there will be millions of Israelis unrealistically waiting for some hit team to save them. Maybe they'll be at the cinema watching "Faces of Death" when the lights go out.

it was 10 to 1, and still it had to be carried out "by way of deception." How very pathetic! More to the cycle of violence. It must stop!

Leave Dubai alone all of you! I'll be ashamed if Israel did it there and that's the truth! Dubai is for partying!

The list of Mossad assassinations must by now run into the thousands. Has it brought Israel any closer to peace and justice? Why should America be associated with this endless cycle of violence?