Israeli press on Hamas killing in Dubai

The exposure of the alleged hit squad on CCTV has drawn criticism in Israel

Israeli press commentary on the killing of a senior Palestinian militant in Dubai - allegedly by an Israeli hit squad - has been mixed.

Some commentators have expressed confidence that their country will emerge unscathed by the affair. One expressed delight at the elimination of a ''cruel enemy'' - Hamas commander Mahmoud al-Mabhouh - while others defended the Israeli secret service, Mossad, from public criticism, saying its reputation would remain intact even if it was found responsible for a messy operation in which agents were exposed on Dubai CCTV cameras.

Some commentators have been highly critical, questioning whether the prize was worth the cost in diplomatic relations.

Let us assume for a moment that Mossad agents indeed were the ones who executed Mahmoud al-Mabhouh in Dubai and that the agents were exposed to the cameras… So what? The failure is not so great… I am happy for the elimination of a cruel enemy, Mr al-Mabhouh… As for the unpleasantness with governments - Britain, Ireland and France - don't worry.

Did the goal and outcome justify the risk of carrying out a hit in a moderate Arab country and of exposing the intelligence community's modus operandi…? Is it right to embarrass the authorities in the United Arab Emirates, who share with Israel the fear of the Iranian threat…? Is there justification in damaging relations with friendly European countries…? All these questions need to be closely scrutinized and the findings must be exposed to the light of day.

If the Mossad did orchestrate the operation, it wouldn't be the first time it has been left with egg on its face. But ultimately, the mission was a success, and the hit squad presumably managed to get out of Dubai safely. So was the Mossad really behind the Dubai hit? Well, as the old line goes: If I told you, I'd have to kill you.

He who assassinated Hamas senior figure Mahmoud al-Mabhouh is in trouble... Bottom line: a tactical operational success, a strategic failure... It is not certain that Mahmoud al-Mabhouh was worth all this.

Unless dramatic evidence is found to definitely prove an Israeli connection, it is likely that the State of Israel will emerge from this affair unblemished and the Mossad will continue enjoying a reputation of fearless determination and nearly unstoppable capabilities.

After the alleged Dubai mess, the Mossad chief must go. Once again, an assassination of a senior Hamas leader in a friendly Arab country; once again, an operation designed to kill someone quietly and inconspicuously; once again, a diplomatic mess.

The main question is political: Was it right to do what they had done, if it was indeed us who did it? Wise statesmanship is not to jump on every opportunity that comes your way but to think hard about political and security implications. I am not sure that they thought about them thoroughly. Now … we have awakened all the demons.

If Israel was behind the Dubai assassination of senior Hamas operative Mahmoud al-Mabhouh then all of a sudden (Mossad chief Meir) Dagan is no longer the nameless hero, but the national blunderer… Some people are even demanding to see his head roll. That is unfair. Getting things done entails making mistakes… There's nothing more contemptible than sports fans who cheer their team when it's doing well but boos when it starts looking like the losing side.

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