Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat died from an unidentified infection that was ”highly unlikely” to have been caused by HIV/Aids or poisoning, The New York Times reported on Thursday.
Citing United States and Israeli medical experts, who were shown Arafat’s medical records, the paper said it remains a mystery as to what underlying infection killed the Palestinian leader.
However, the independent experts who reviewed his records for the paper said the pattern of his symptoms made HIV/Aids a highly unlikely cause and suggested that poisoning was also ”highly unlikely”.
The records also show that Arafat did not receive antibiotics until October 27, or ”15 days after the onset of the illness” that ultimately led to his death at a military hospital outside Paris on November 11.
The New York Times report contradicts findings to be published in a book by two Israeli authors, who charge that the medical reports show Arafat died of poisoning, HIV/Aids or an infection. – AFP
