Hamas threatens to avenge assassination attempt on its leader
Jordan, Politics, 9/26/1997

Hamas threatened to take revenge within Israel and abroad for an attempt made on the life of khaled Mishal, director of the organization’s political department in Jordan.

The Islamic organization’s leadership in Amman said that Israeli Mossad agents, disguised as Canadian tourists, were reponsible for the attempt made on Mishal’s life. Jordan, however, denied reports of Israeli Mossad involvement. Jordanian Minister of Information Samir Mutawe' said the whole issue was no more than a fight between Mishal's driver and a number of Canadian tourists, who were also injured in the scuffle.

Hamas' version of the incident spoke of a special electronic device that was found in possession of the assailants that was taken by the Jordanian police for examination. Mishal was admitted to hospital but no danger to his life is reported. Later on, Hamas announced that Mishal’s condition had worsened and that he was having difficulty breathing and suffered from a lack of oxygen in his blood. The organization said the weapons employed by the attackers are responsible for the nausea and dizziness that Mishal suffers from and for his general weakness.

The Jordanian authorities held to their version of the incident and said it was simply a case of a fight in which four people were injured. “The verbal conflict deteriorated and both parties began throwing rocks at one another,” the Jordanian Information Ministry said. But Hamas was unconvinced, and the organization released a public statement, in which it said that “Jordan is trying to grant cover for an Israeli operation. We promise that the Zionists are going to pay with rivers of blood for every drop of blood spilt by one of our warriors. The assassination attempt made on the life of our leader Khaled Mishal in Amman only moves the war with Israel outside the boundaries of the homeland.”

Previous Stories:
  Special Report: Who were the four suicide bombers? New revelations   (9/25/1997)
  More details on the uncovering of Hamas cell   (9/25/1997)
  Hamas is still strong enough to initiate immediate attack   (9/24/1997)

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