SUSPECTS IN KILLING OF HAMAS OFFICIAL

At least one additional fake passport was used in the assassination of a top Hamas official who was found dead in a Dubai hotel room in January, a local newspaper reported citing a senior diplomatic source. The Abu Dhabi-based English daily The National also cited an earlier U.S. media report saying that up to five more people had been identified by Dubai police, bringing the total suspects involved in the killing of Mahmoud Al Mabhouh to 32. The suspects were holding Australian, British and French passports when travelling, the newspaper said, adding it is unclear whether the additional suspects had participated in the surveillance only or were involved in the operational stage of the assassination. Mahmoud Al Mabhouh, a senior commander of Hamas military wing, the Ezzedeen Al Qassam Brigades, was found dead in his hotel room on January 20, a day after he arrived in Dubai. He was wanted by the Israeli government in connection with the kidnappings of two Israeli soldiers in 1989.