Report: Hamas operative known as 'The Engineer' assassinated by Mossad in Tunisia
The target, Mohhamed Zawari, known to Israel's security echelon as "The Engineer," was found shot to death inside his vehicle in the city of Sfax, local media reported.
By JPOST.COM STAFFUpdated: MAY 1, 2017 12:12A Palestinian from the Islamic group Hamas carries the holy book the Koran tucked into a belt of simulated explosives(photo credit: REUTERS)
The Mossad, Israel's foreign intelligence agency, has reportedly assassinated a Hamas militant operating out of Tunisia, according to Channel 10 citing Arab media.The target, Mohhamed Zawari, known to Israel's security echelon as "The Engineer," was found shot to death inside his vehicle in the city of Sfax, local media reported.Five suspects were later detained by Tunisian authorities, along with multiple vehicles, weapons and mobile devices. One Tunisian journalist said the killing was carried out by the Mossad, who had been following Zawari for some time, Channel 10 added.Zawari, an aviation engineer and scientist, was shot three to seven times by unknown assailants in his car near his home.The motive behind his shooting remains unclear.According to Channel 10, the nationalities of the detainees include one suspect from the Netherlands, one from Morocco and the rest from varying European countries.An additional report from Hungary claimed that a Hungarian citizen posing as a journalist conducted an interview with the senior Hamas operative shortly before his death. The Hungarian immediately departed from Tunisia after their meeting.Zawari, 49, lived in Syria before the outbreak of the country's civil war in 2011. He is known for his contacts with Hamas, and is credited with a number of innovations in drone technology.Israeli officials have yet to react or comment on the report.