Report: Dubai identifies 5 new suspects in Hamas murder, bringing hit squad to 32 people

Report: Dubai IDs 5 new suspects in Hamas murder

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — The Dubai police have identified five new suspects in the slaying of a Hamas operative in the Gulf city-state, a local newspaper reported on Friday.

The National said the five traveled to Dubai with Australian, British and French passports to kill Mahmoud al-Mabhouh, who was found dead in his Dubai hotel room in January.

The Dubai authorities have described al-Mabhouh’s assassination as a mix of clockwork precision and spy novel flare. They have accused Israel’s Mossad spy agency of being behind the killing of al-Mabhouh.

The Dubai police previously released names of 27 suspects who traveled to Dubai on fake identities and forged European and Australian passports. The police also compiled a detailed flow chart-style diagram on the suspects’ alleged roles in the slaying.

Friday’s report did not reveal the new suspects’ names. But if confirmed, it would bring the number of suspects behind the slaying to 32 people. The Dubai police could not immediately be reached for comment on Friday, while government officials contacted by The Associated Press declined to comment.

At least 15 of the suspected killers share names with Israeli citizens, further fueling suspicions the Mossad was behind the hit. Israel has maintained a policy of ambiguity on the killing, neither confirming or denying involvement.