The head of the radical Islamic Jihad, which has claimed responsibility for killing dozens of Israelis, was shot to death in Malta, Israel radio said Saturday. It said Palestinian sources blamed Israel.
The man, shot outside a hotel Thursday by a gunman on a motorbike, was identified by Malta police as Libyan businessman Ibrahim Shawisha.But Israel radio, quoting sources in Damascus and the Gaza Strip, said the man was Dr. Fathi Shakaki, head of Islamic Jihad. The radio said its sources accused Israel's Mossad intelligence agency of carrying out the killing.
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"If it is true, then I believe there will be a very negative reaction," said Sufian Abu Zaida, an official in Yasser Arafat's government.