Dubai says 99% sure Israel behind Hamas killing
Dubai police chief Dahi Khalfan says almost completely certain of Mossad's involvement in assassination of Hamas official Mahmoud al-Mabhouh
The Dubai police chief said he was 99% certain that Israel was involved in the January killing of a Hamas militant at a Dubai luxury hotel, according to a Emirati newspaper on Thursday.
"Our investigations reveal that Mossad is involved in the murder of (Mahmoud) al-Mabhouh. It is 99%, if not 100%, that Mossad is standing behind the murder," police chief Dahi Khalfan Tamim told The National newspaper.
The report was carried on the newspaper's web site.
The newspaper quoted the Dubai police chief as saying Interpol has issued red notices for 11 suspects in the killing. “The red notices were issued with the names and features, based on evidence we provided, the notices were issued based on evidence we provided to the Interpol,” Lieutenant General Tamim said.
The report said that according to Tamim, evidence gathered by Dubai police shows a clear link between the suspects and "people with a close connection to Israel". However, he did not disclose what the evidences were.
The newspaper quoted Tamim as saying earlier that if it is proven that Mossad is responsible for the killing of al Mabhouh, “Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, will be the first to be wanted for justice as he would have been the one who signed the decision to kill al Mabhouh in Dubai," adding that an arrest warrant will be issued against him.
More proof
On Wednesday Tamim said he had additional proof for Israeli involvement in the hit and noted there will be more surprises which will erase any doubt. Tamim told the al-Bayan newspaper that the assassination had turned into an international crime which was not only directed against at the UAE but against other European and Arab countries.
In a seperate interview Tamim stated that the investigation continues and it is possible that others will be added to the suspects' list. According to estimates the list may go up to 17 or 20 suspects.
British media are reporting that the hit squad was comprised of 18 and not 17 agents, which include the 11 individuals who have been exposed, two Palestinians and five Europeans.
Israel continues to face criticism from the International community. Israel's Ambassador to Ireland Zion Evrony was summoned for a meeting in the Irish Foreign Ministry following the use of fake Irish passport during the Dubai operation.
