Israel’s defence minister has dismissed claims that Israel assassinated a Palestinian Hamas member and scholar who was shot dead in Malaysia.

Avigdor Lieberman said it was more likely Fadi al-Batsh, 35, was killed on Saturday as part of “an internal Palestinian dispute.” He also added that al-Batsh who was a scientist, was a "rocket expert and no saint”.

The academic’s family had blamed the Mossad, Israel’s intelligence agency, for orchestrating the assassination.

"There are accusations only against the Israeli Mossad and the Malaysian government should accelerate the investigation," al-Batsh's father, Mohamed said.

The Palestinian was killed by two assailants as he was heading to a mosque for dawn prayers, according to local police.

Kuala Lumpur police chief Datuk Seri Mazlan Lazim said one of the suspects "fired 10 shots, four of which hit the lecturer in the head and body. He died on the spot."