Assassinated Hamas chief 'put himself at risk'

A Hamas leader assassinated during a visit to Dubai last month exposed himself to attack when he breached security protocol by talking about his trip over the phone and making hotel reservations on the internet, the militant Islamic group said today.

The methodical stalking and killing of Mahmoud al-Mabhouh in a luxury hotel room – widely been blamed on Israel’s Mossad spy agency – has put Hamas on the defensive over purported security lapses.