The New York Times newspaper affirmed that energy science professor Fadi al-Batsh had been assassinated in Malaysia by Mossad Israel’s external intelligence.
The newspaper quoted Middle Eastern intelligence officials as saying that the killing was part of a broader operation ordered by the Mossad chief Yossi Cohen to dismantle what was claimed to be a Hamas project that sends Gaza’s most promising scientists and engineers overseas to gather know-how and weaponry to fight Israel.
According the newspaper the intelligence officials claimed that Batsh co-wrote a paper on drone applications in 2013 and had been sent there to research and acquire weapon systems and drones for Hamas.
Mossad is particularly interested in Hamas’s advances in unmanned aerial and underwater vehicles the officials said which could be used to attack Israeli targets more effectively than the rockets Hamas used during its wars with Israel.
“Colleagues and students of Mr. Batsh in Malaysia where he lived with his wife Enaas al-Batsh and their three young children characterized him as a kind professor who was dedicated to improving life in his native Gaza. His public research focused on renewable energy and he spoke about wanting to bring abundant electricity to a Palestinian territory always short of power” the newspaper said.
“Mr. Batsh won scholarships from a Malaysian sovereign wealth fund the first Arab to earn such an honor. In 2016 Mr. Najib the Malaysian prime minister presented Mr. Batsh with an award” it added.
Last Saturday Batsh was gunned down in a hail of at least 14 bullets by two men on a motorcycle after he walked from his apartment building in suburban Kuala Lumpur to perform the dawn prayer in a nearby Mosque.
His family accused Mossad of assassinating him while the Malaysian security authorities implied that a Middle Eastern country which has ties with Israel and is involved in subversive activities in other countries could be involved in his assassination.
