Officials say the remains of former Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat have been exhumed from his grave so international forensic experts can search for additional clues to his death.

The Palestinian officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they weren't authorized to disclose the news.

The detection earlier this year of a lethal radioactive substance on clothing said to be Arafat's sparked a new investigation into his death.

Arafat died in November 2004 in a French military hospital, a month after suddenly falling ill. Palestinian officials claim he was poisoned by Israel, but have not presented evidence. Israel has denied such allegations.