Yasir Arafat

The body of former Palestinian Authority President Yasir Arafat was exhumed Tuesday to test whether he died of radioactive poisoning.

Samples were taken by a Palestinian doctor under the supervision of Swiss, Russian and French experts. The body then was reburied, according to reports.

Analysis of the samples reportedly will take several months. Many Palestinians continue to believe that Arafat was poisoned by Israel because he was an obstacle to peace. Israel has denied any involvement.

News that deposed Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak was near death late Tuesday was greeted by Israelis with remorse.

“He will be remembered as a partner for peace,” said Yoram Meital, chairman of the Herzog Center for Middle East Studies at Ben-Gurion University. “He will be remembered as a very strong leader.”