For Immediate Release: 23:30CST 10/29/95
SitRep: Malta Shakaki Shooting/Israeli-PLO Peace Process
Numerous public threats are being made, coming from a from a
variety of radical fundamentalist sources, following the death of
Islamic Jihad leader Dr.Fathi Shakaki in Malta...allegedly
at the hands of an Israeli agent. Also allegedly, five silenced
pistol shots to the head.
- *Qadaffi hit squad - Shakaki (or Shaqiqi) just met with Qadaffi
over expulsion of Palestinians from Libya (from call to
Reuters...unknown location)
- *PLO Leader Arafat's "Force 17", over Jihad's continued
interference in peace accords. (from a call to Associated Press
in Amman, Jordan)
- *Personal revenge by an political/religious enemy (Shakaki is known
to have many)
-
Other poss. alleged perpetrators:
Publically reported threats against Israel and the United States from:
- PFLP
- PFLP-GC
- Islamic Jihad
- Hamas
- Egyptian - "Vanguard of Conquest"
Poss. New Leader:
Ramadan Abdullah, 42, reported to be living in Damascus, Syria
Radical views unknown at the time of this report....
Poss. motivation in the shooting:
To split the Islamic Jihad, which is already in conflict over
joining the PLO in making peace and participating in coming
elections. Shakaki was reportedly for maintaining a "hardline"
and continuing the struggle. Note: One of his "favorite Islamic
speakers" was Shiek Abdel-Rahman, the blind cleric of Egypt and NYC
fame.
Preliminary Analysis:
This could signal another escalation in "suicide bombs",
particularly in Israel or against Jewish interests anywhere
in the world. The last time a major Islamic "player" was killed
in Lebanon, the retribution took place in Argentina and the UK.
Car bombs against Israeli embassies, commercial buildings, or other
sites could be a possibility, and the risk of an attack against the
United States has increased. It is unlikely that Shakaki's
death will go unavenged...the question is where and when.
ERRI is collecting additional details and watching this story
closely. If you would like additional analysis/information, please
feel free to contact us.
Clark Staten, Exec. Dir.
Emergency Response & Research Institute (ERRI)
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