(Haaretz) - A group of analysts said Thursday that satellite imagery has shown that Syria cleared a site believed to have been targeted in an Israel Air Force strike in November, in what was a speedy effort that only raised suspicions regarding the nature of the site.
International media reports based on comments by American officials have said that Israel targeted a nuclear facility built with North Korean assistance.
Syria has said Israel targeted a largely unused military building, however, and both Damascus and Pyongyang have vehemently denied nuclear cooperation. Israel has refused to confirm the air strike or comment on the reports.
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Satellite images taken recently, two months after the strike, show the area was completely cleared out. On Wednesday, the same group of analysts said photographs taken prior to the September 6 strike pointed to the facility being a nuclear reactor similar to the North Korean design.
The images were analyzed by a team of experts at the Institute for Science and International Security, headed by David Albright, a former UN weapons inspector.
The Syrians "are clearly trying to conceal evidence," he said.