Hamas terrorist Kamal Ranaja, known as Nizzar Abu-Mujhad. Photo: Facebook.

The killing of Hamas official Kamal Ranaja, known as Nizzar Abu-Mujhad, in Damascus on Wednesday may have been committed under the auspices of Syrian President Bashar Assad, according to an opposition activist in Syria.

A female activist (and former journalist) is quoted in Ynet as saying that Mujhad was tortured before being killed, in an attempt by Assad to send a message to the terrorist group Hamas, which kept its political headquarters in the Syrian capital of Damascus before the country descended into chaos.

In the Ynet report, the activist claims “the hit was a message to Hamas, which turned its back on Assad following the violent crackdown on the opposition.”

Also, according to the Al-Mayadeen television station based in Lebanon, Mujhad served as an aide to Mahmoud al-Mabhouh, a Hamas terrorists who was assassinated in Dubai in 2010.

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Hamas officials were quick to blame Israel for the assassination on Wednesday.

“A group of people entered the home of Kamal Ranaja, and killed him,” a Hamas official in Lebanon said. “According to information that we have gathered, the Mossad is behind the attack.”

Ranaja was allegedly responsible for smuggling weapons into Gaza from Iran, Syria, and Lebanon, according to numerous media reports.