Article by slain Hamas engineer shows he studied drones
2013 study Fadi Albatsh wrote with two other researchers examines the 'Challenges of integrating unmanned aerial vehicles in civil applications,' further bolstering assertion he was targeted for his expertise and possible role in development of drones for Hamas.
A 2013 article written by Fadi Albatsh, a Hamas electrical engineer who was assassinated in Malaysia, shows his research dealt with drones.
The article, titled the "Challenges of integrating unmanned aerial vehicles in civil applications," was written by Albatsh and two other researchers at the International Islamic University Malaysia.
The article, along with Hamas's admission that he was a member of the terror group, bolsters the assertion he was targeted for his expertise and possible role in the development of Hamas's drones apparatus in Gaza.
Albatsh's study states that "Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) has evolved rapidly over the past decade. There have been an increased number of studies aiming at improving UAV and in its use for different civil applications.
"This paper highlights the fundamentals of UAV system and examines the challenges related with the major components such as motors, drives, power systems, communication system and image processing tools and equipment."
The study further examines motors' efficiency, battery functioning, the importance of reducing the weight of the aircraft, and the communications system.
In the article's conclusion, Albatsh and the other writers note that further research into the aforementioned challenges could help drones stay in the air longer and in any kind of weather.
The investigation into the assassination is still underway in Malaysia, where police released facial composites of two suspects.
According to the Malaysian police's description, the two suspects are well-built, fair-skinned men, approximately 180 centimeters tall, and it is still uncertain whether they are still in the country or left after the assassination. The two suspects are believed to be of European or Middle Eastern descent.
Malaysia's Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi implied Monday that Israel was behind the assassination.
"We know of a country in the Middle East that will do anything to deny the potential of the Palestinian people. They target Palestinians who have certain expertise, so that they can quell the possibility of an intifada happening there before it can even begin," he said.
His said the Home Ministry, which he also leads, had detected foreign agents abusing passports of countries that have diplomatic ties with Malaysia in order to carry out "certain missions."
The Palestinian Ambassador to Malaysia, Anwar Al Agha, has said he believes Albatsh's body will likely be brought back to Gaza within 24 hours.
"I've started communicating with different parties in Egypt through the Egypt embassy in Kuala Lumpur, as well as through our Palestine embassy in Cairo. They told me they are in the midst of the process, and I am sure they are certain of the procedures and regulations involved," he said in a radio interview. "Today or tomorrow we'll get the approval and the clearance to bring the body to Palestine."
