Israeli officials are furious at the breach of security after Belarusian president Aliaksandr Lukashenka revealed last week that Meir Dagan, the former head of Mossad, Israel’s intelligence service, was recovering in a hospital in Minsk, the Sunday Times reports.
According to the British newspaper, Israel’s former spy chief is said to be facing the threat of assassination by an Iranian hit squad as he recovers from a liver transplant in Belarus. A further contingent of security agents was due to arrive this weekend. “We’re very worried,” the Sunday Times quotes a well-placed Israeli source. “Both Iran and Hezbollah are well aware of Dagan’s location and we believe some of their operators might be on their way to Minsk”.
Meanwhile, Iosif Shagal, Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of Israel to Belarus, told news agency Interfax that Dagan might be taken home in 7-8 days: “His state is stabilized. The doctors call it “critical but stable”, but he underwent a serious operation. His age should be also taken into account.”
Being asked a question on security upgrade in hospital the diplomat started discussing about “trivial tales”: “I ask you to realise who we are talking about. He arrived together with his own security guards; there being your, Belarusian one – two highly professional services are protecting him. There is no need to worry about his safety and security”. According to Shagal, Dagan’s wife, daughter and bosom friend are staying with him at the moment.
Belsat
