The story of Israel’s “poisoned toothpaste” assassination method and how it took decades to expose involves intricate planning, advanced biological research, and meticulous secrecy by Mossad, Israel's national intelligence agency.
Background and Motivation
Wadie Haddad, a high-ranking member of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), was responsible for orchestrating numerous terrorist attacks against Israel, including the infamous hijacking of an Air France flight to Entebbe in 1978 Following this event, Haddad became a prime target for Mossad.
The Assassination Method
In January 1978, Mossad agents managed to infiltrate Haddad’s close circle and replaced his regular toothpaste with one containing a slow-acting toxin. This toxin, developed at the Israel Institute for Biological Research, was specifically designed to be absorbed through the mucous membranes in the mouth. Each time Haddad brushed his teeth, the poison entered his bloodstream, gradually accumulating to a lethal dose
Cover-Up and Delay in Exposure
The nature of the toxin ensured that Haddad's death would appear as a natural one, specifically caused by brain bleeding and pneumonia. This method was part of Mossad's strategy of "low-signature assassinations," designed to avoid immediate suspicion and international scrutiny
Haddad died in East Germany, and initial autopsies did not raise significant suspicion of foul play. The details surrounding his death remained obscured due to the secrecy and precision of the operation. It wasn't until almost three decades later that the true cause of his death was revealed through various sources, including declassified documents and investigative journalism
The Long-Term Impact
The revelation of this assassination method shed light on the lengths to which Mossad would go to eliminate perceived threats while maintaining plausible deniability. It also highlighted the sophistication and ingenuity behind their operations, which often blurred the lines between conventional warfare and covert intelligence activities
Conclusion
The exposure of Israel’s use of poisoned toothpaste in the assassination of Wadie Haddad exemplifies the complexity and secrecy of Mossad’s operations. It took decades of investigative work and the declassification of intelligence documents to uncover the truth behind this covert operation, emphasizing the intricate nature of international espionage and targeted killings.