The Israeli Channel 10 broadcast Tuesday another report on the assassination of Palestinian leader Khalil al-Wazir, known as Abu Jihad.
It showed that the Palestinian agent, who divulged his leader’s secrets to Israeli intelligence, committed his betrayal for not only money, but over a dispute with two of Abu Jihad’s aides.
Gen. Shmuel Ettinger, deputy commander of the Military Intelligence Unit 504 that carried out the assassination, said that the agent’s role was decisive in the operation’s success.
After the success of the operation, Israel took in the Palestinian agent, but even though he was showered with money, he was constantly isolated and shunned.
Ettinger narrated that he saw how the agent lived alone and felt humiliated by Israel. The agent ultimately decided to leave the country. He moved to a new country where he took up a new name and changed his appearance.
Abu Jihad was assassinated by Israel in 1988 at his home in Tunisia. The operation was overseen by future Prime Minister Ehud Barak, who was then deputy chief of staff. The field force was led by Moshe Ya'alon.
Ettinger did not hide his respect and admiration for Abu Jihad, saying he was a man of vision and peace.
“I am certain that if he had remained alive, he would have made real peace with us,” he added, saying it was a missed opportunity.
