MASHAAL AFFAIR

A bungledMossadattempt at assassinatingKhaled Mashaal, a seniorHamaspolitical leader believed by Israel to be "responsible for the murder of innocent civilians." The incident occurred on 25 September 1997 in Amman and seriously soured relations withJordan. The two Mossad agents, carrying forged Canadian passports, were captured, and in return for their release, Israel had to free Hamas founderSheikh Ahmed Ismail Yassinand dozens of otherPalestinianand Jordanian security prisoners from Israeli prisons. The affair ultimately forced the resignation of Mossad chiefDanny Yatomand his director of operations. TheCiechanover Commissionreported in February 1998 toPrime Minister Benjamin Netanyahuthat the Mossad and its head (Yatom) bore full responsibility for the failed assassination attempt.