Editing Assassination of Mahmoud Al-Mabhouh

{{Short description|2010 murder in Dubai, United Arab Emirates}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2020}}
{{lead rewrite|date=February 2019}}
{{Infobox civilian attack
 |title      = Assassination of {{nowr|Mahmoud al-Mabhouh}}
 |image      = Mahmoud al-Mabhouh.jpg
 |location   = [[Dubai]], United Arab Emirates
 |target     = [[Mahmoud al-Mabhouh]]
 |date       = 19 January 2010|type       = Assassination
 |fatalities = 1
 |perps      = 33 people, using forged and fraudulently obtained passports
 |weapons    = Pillow, muscle relaxant
}}

The '''assassination of Mahmoud al-Mabhouh''' ({{lang-ar|محمود المبحوح}}, {{transliteration|ar|Maḥmūd al-Mabḥūḥ}}; 14 February 1961&nbsp;– 19 January 2010) took place on 19 January 2010, in a hotel room in [[Dubai]]. [[Mahmoud al-Mabhouh|Al-Mabhouh]]—a co-founder of the [[Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades]], the military wing of [[Hamas]]—was wanted by the Israeli government for the kidnapping and murder of two Israeli soldiers in 1989 as well as purchasing arms from Iran for use in [[Gaza Strip|Gaza]]; these have been cited as a possible motive for the assassination.<ref name=AE>{{cite web|url=http://www.thenational.ae/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100201/NATIONAL/701319829/1133/FOREIGN|title=Al Mabhouh killed hours after arrival|work=The National|date=1 February 2010|access-date=19 February 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100820015917/http://www.thenational.ae/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=%2F20100201%2FNATIONAL%2F701319829%2F1133%2FFOREIGN|archive-date=20 August 2010}}</ref>

His assassination attracted international attention in part due to allegations that it was ordered by the Israeli government and carried out by [[Mossad]] agents holding fake or fraudulently obtained passports from several European countries and Australia.

The photographs of the 26 suspects and their aliases were subsequently placed on [[Interpol]]'s most-wanted list. The Dubai police found that 12 of the suspects used British passports, along with six Irish, four French, one German, and three Australian passports.<ref name=SMH0302>{{cite news|title= AFP on forged passports trail to Israel|author=Jason Koutsoukis|date=2 March 2010|access-date=2 March 2010|url=http://www.smh.com.au/world/afp-on-forged-passports-trail-to-israel-20100301-pdra.html|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100302205518/http://www.smh.com.au/world/afp-on-forged-passports-trail-to-israel-20100301-pdra.html| archive-date= 2 March 2010| url-status= live}}</ref><ref name="11pic">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_depth/8517716.stm|title=Pictures of '11 Europeans' sought for Hamas killing |work=BBC News|access-date=19 February 2010|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100218060818/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_depth/8517716.stm|archive-date=18 February 2010| url-status= live}}</ref><ref name="bbc2">[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_depth/8516901.stm Dubai names suspects wanted for killing of Hamas man] [[BBC]] news.</ref><ref name="IT20"/><ref name="rudd">{{cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/02/25/2829656.htm |title=Australians' passports stolen for Dubai hit |work=ABC News|date=25 February 2010|access-date=25 February 2010|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100226183449/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/02/25/2829656.htm|archive-date=26 February 2010| url-status= live}}</ref> Interpol and the Dubai police believed that the suspects stole the identities of real people, mostly Israeli dual citizens.<ref name=SMH0302/><ref name="interlist">[http://www.jpost.com/International/Article.aspx?id=169042 11 'Mabhouh killers’ on Interpol list]. ''The Jerusalem Post''</ref> Two Palestinians, believed by Hamas to be former [[Fatah]] security officers and current employees of a senior Fatah official, were taken into custody in Dubai, on suspicions that one of them provided logistical assistance to the hit team. Despite Hamas's claim, Dubai would not comment on the incident or identify the two Palestinian suspects.

According to initial reports, Al-Mabhouh was drugged,<ref>[http://www.dubaipolice.gov.ae/dp/english/news/news_show.jsp?Id=857382312&ArticalType=1 Mabhouh was sedated before killed] Dubai Police</ref> then electrocuted and suffocated.<ref name="bbc2" /> Lt. Gen. [[Dhahi Khalfan Tamim]] of the [[Dubai Police Force]] said the suspects tracked Al-Mabhouh to Dubai from [[Damascus]], Syria. They arrived from different European destinations and stayed at different hotels, presumably to avoid being detected and, with the exception of three of its members suspected of "helping to facilitate" who had left on a ferry for Iran several months before the assassination, departed after the assassination to different countries.<ref name="csmonitor1"/><ref name="bbc2"/> Dubai's police chief said that he was "99% certain" that the assassination was the work of Israel's Mossad. On 1 March 2010, he stated that he was "sure" that all of the suspects are hiding in Israel.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticle09.asp?xfile=data/theuae/2010/March/theuae_March20.xml&section=theuae|title=suspects in Mabhouh killing hiding in Israel |work=Khaleej Times|date=1 March 2010|access-date=14 April 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://jta.org/news/article/2010/03/01/1010848/report-alleged-dubai-assassins-entered-us |title=Report:Alleged Dubai Assassins entered US |publisher=Jewish Telegraphic Agency |date=1 March 2010|access-date=14 April 2010|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100304051808/http://jta.org/news/article/2010/03/01/1010848/report-alleged-dubai-assassins-entered-us |archive-date=4 March 2010}}</ref>

He said that Dubai would ask for an arrest warrant to be issued for [[Meir Dagan]], the head of Mossad, if it is confirmed that the Mossad is involved and responsible for the assassination.<ref name="bbc3">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/8523588.stm |title=Dubai police chief in Mossad arrest call|work=BBC News|date=19 February 2010|access-date=19 February 2010| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100220053308/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/8523588.stm|archive-date=20 February 2010| url-status= live}}</ref> The Hamas leadership also holds Israel responsible, and has vowed revenge.<ref name="isitmos">[http://www.jpost.com/Israel/Article.aspx?id=169000 Analysis: So did the Mossad do it?] ''The Jerusalem Post''</ref> Hamas, which is itself on the [[U.S. State Department list of Foreign Terrorist Organizations]], [[European Union]] lists of terrorist organizations, and also considered a terrorist organization by the governments of Israel,<ref>[http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/MFAArchive/2000_2009/2003/7/The%20Financial%20Sources%20of%20the%20Hamas%20Terror%20Organiza The Financial Sources of the Hamas Terror Organization] {{webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20120524212543/www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/MFAArchive/2000_2009/2003/7/The%20Financial%20Sources%20of%20the%20Hamas%20Terror%20Organiza |date=24 May 2012}} (Israel MFA), 28 May 2010</ref> and Japan,<ref name="Japan's Diplomatic Bluebook 2005">{{cite web| url=http://www.mofa.go.jp/policy/other/bluebook/2005/ch3-a.pdf| title=Japan's Diplomatic Bluebook 2005|year=2005}}</ref> as is its military arm by the United Kingdom<ref>[http://security.homeoffice.gov.uk/legislation/current-legislation/terrorism-act-2000/proscribed-groups.html Proscribed terrorist groups] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100118084213/http://security.homeoffice.gov.uk/legislation/current-legislation/terrorism-act-2000/proscribed-groups.html |date=18 January 2010}} United Kingdom [[Home Office]]</ref> and Australia,<ref name="NSF-Australia-terrorlist">[http://www.nationalsecurity.gov.au/agd/www/nationalsecurity.nsf/AllDocs/95FB057CA3DECF30CA256FAB001F7FBD?OpenDocument Listing of Terrorist Organisations] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140204040731/http://www.nationalsecurity.gov.au/agd/www/nationalsecurity.nsf/AllDocs/95FB057CA3DECF30CA256FAB001F7FBD?OpenDocument |date=4 February 2014}}, Australian Government Attorney-General's Department, 27 January 2006. Retrieved 28 May 2010</ref> requested that Israel be added by the EU to its list because of suspicions that Israel was involved in the assassination.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.middle-east-online.com/english/?id=37415|title=Middle East Online |publisher=Middle East Online|date=22 February 2010|access-date=14 April 2010}}</ref>

However, later in March, Dubai police chief said, "I am now completely sure that it was Mossad", and went on to say "I have presented the (Dubai) prosecutor with a request for the arrest of (Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin) Netanyahu and the head of Mossad" for the assassination.<ref name="ReferenceA">{{cite news|author=correspondents in Dubai |url=http://www.news.com.au/breaking-news/israeli-pms-arrest-sought-over-murder/story-e6frfku0-1225836329886|title=Israeli PM's arrest sought over murder|publisher=News|date=3 March 2010|access-date=14 April 2010|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100303224202/http://www.news.com.au/breaking-news/israeli-pms-arrest-sought-over-murder/story-e6frfku0-1225836329886|archive-date=3 March 2010| url-status= live}}</ref> Khalfan would also suggest that a Hamas associate fed information to Mossad.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.albawaba.com/en/news/262223|title=Dubai Police Chief insists al-Mabhouh was betrayed from within Hamas |publisher=al Bawaba|date=4 March 2010|access-date=7 March 2010|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100312000605/http://www.albawaba.com/en/news/262223|archive-date=12 March 2010| url-status= dead}}</ref> This was denied by Hamas which blamed [[Fatah]] for helping the Mossad hit team.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2010/feb/21/mahmoud-al-mabhouh-passports-hamas|title = Killed Hamas official Mahmoud al-Mabhouh betrayed by associate, says Dubai police chief|website= [[TheGuardian.com]]|date = 21 February 2010}}</ref>

In March 2010, the British foreign secretary, [[David Miliband]], expelled an Israeli diplomat after the UK's [[Serious Organised Crime Agency]] discovered that Israel had forged copies of British passports.<ref>{{cite news|last=Bowen|first=Jeremy |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/8583041.stm|title=Expulsion of diplomat sends a strong signal to Israel |work=BBC News|date=23 March 2010|access-date=14 April 2010|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100408045254/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/8583041.stm| archive-date= 8 April 2010|url-status= live}}</ref> On 24 May, the Australian government expelled an Israeli diplomat after concluding that there was "no doubt Israel was behind the forgery of four Australian passports" related to the assassination.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/israeli-diplomat-to-be-kicked-out-of-australia-over-passport-forgery-row/story-e6frf7jo-1225870510101|title=Israeli diplomat to be kicked out of Australia over passport forgery row|work=Herald Sun |date=24 May 2010|access-date=28 May 2010}}</ref> Similar action was taken by Ireland.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/frontpage/2010/0602/1224271678155.html |work=The Irish Times |title=Forged passport inquiry urges expulsion of Israeli |date=6 June 2010|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110210134534/http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/frontpage/2010/0602/1224271678155.html |archive-date=10 February 2011}}</ref> Israel has refused to comment on the accusations that its security forces were behind the assassination.<ref name="bbc2"/>

On 30 September 2010, Dubai's police chief Dahi Khalfan said he received death threats from Israel's spy agency [[Mossad]] linked to his role in uncovering details of the assassination of al-Mabhouh, but whether such calls existed remains unconfirmed.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.france24.com/en/20100930-dubai-police-chief-mossad-threatened-hamas-killing-spy|title=Dubai police chief says Mossad threatened him over Hamas killing|publisher=FRANCE 24|date=30 September 2010|access-date=17 November 2012}}</ref><ref>[http://www.jpost.com/MiddleEast/Article.aspx?id=189765 'Dubai police chief claims Mossad threatened to kill him' – Middle East – Jerusalem Post<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/dubai-police-chief-says-mossad-behind-death-threats-1.316449 |title=Dubai police chief says Mossad behind death threats|work=Haaretz|date=30 September 2010|access-date=17 November 2012}}</ref>

==Sequence of events==
{{cleanup|section|date=February 2019|reason=Written like a high school essay}}
{|style="margin-left:10px; border:1px solid darkgrey; float:right; font-size:90%;" cellspacing="2"
|+Timeline of key events<ref>{{cite web|first=Wafa|last=Issa|title=The movements of the Dubai hit team suspects|url=http://www.thenational.ae/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100217/NATIONAL/702169818&SearchID=73382065485143|work=The National|date=17 February 2010|access-date=20 February 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100324193256/http://www.thenational.ae/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=%2F20100217%2FNATIONAL%2F702169818&SearchID=73382065485143|archive-date=24 March 2010|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
|<!--     -->||'''19 January 2010'''
|-
|'''02:29:'''||Team leader arrives in Dubai
|-
|'''15:25:'''||Mabhouh arrives at hotel
|-
|'''15:51:'''||Team reserves opposite room
|-
|'''16:23:'''||Mabhouh exits hotel
|-
|'''20:24:'''||Mabhouh comes back to hotel
|-
|<!--     -->||Mabhouh is killed
|-
|'''20:46:'''||Team begins to leave hotel
|-
|<!--     -->||'''20 January 2010'''
|-
|'''13:30:'''||Body of Mabhouh discovered
|}

On 19 January 2010, al-Mabhouh was assassinated in his room in a hotel in Dubai, after being tracked by at least 29 suspects (26 suspects whose passport photos have been released, two arrested Palestinians, and another unnamed suspect),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/uae/crime/new-suspect-in-al-mabhouh-murder-in-dubai-1.589953|title=New suspect in Al Mabhouh murder in Dubai|work=Gulf News|date=28 February 2010|access-date=14 April 2010|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100405092519/http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/uae/crime/new-suspect-in-al-mabhouh-murder-in-dubai-1.589953|archive-date=5 April 2010| url-status= live}}</ref> 26 of whom carried forged or fraudulently-obtained passports from various European nations.

''[[The Sunday Times]]'' reported that al-Mabhouh's departure from Damascus to Dubai on [[Emirates (airline)|Emirates]] Flight no. 912 at 10:05 on 19 January 2010 was tracked by an agent on the ground in Damascus.<ref name=Uzi>{{cite news|first=Uzi|last=Mahnaimi|title=Israel 'poisoned Hamas leader' |url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/middle_east/article7009625.ece|work=The Sunday Times|date=31 January 2010|access-date=31 January 2010|location=London}}</ref> Salah Bardawil, a Hamas legislator, said al-Mabhouh put himself at risk by booking his trip online and informing family in Gaza of the telephone number of the hotel at which he would be staying on his trip.<ref name="German passport">{{cite news|url=http://www.ynetnews.com//articles/0,7340,L-3851926,00.html |title=Report: German passport used by Dubai hit squad not forged |last=Waked |first=Ali |date=20 February 2010|newspaper=Ynetnews |access-date=20 February 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100223034124/http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0%2C7340%2CL-3851926%2C00.html |archive-date=23 February 2010|url-status=live }}</ref>

Despite reports that al-Mabhouh traveled under a false passport with the fake name "Mahmoud Abdul Raouf Mohammed",<ref name="csmonitor1">{{cite web|url=http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Middle-East/2010/0319/Dubai-assassination-spotlights-top-cop-skills-in-a-modern-day-Casablanca|title=Dubai assassination spotlights top cop skills in a modern-day Casablanca|publisher=CS Monitor|date=19 March 2010|access-date=28 May 2010| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100428091128/http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Middle-East/2010/0319/Dubai-assassination-spotlights-top-cop-skills-in-a-modern-day-Casablanca|archive-date=28 April 2010| url-status= live}}</ref><ref name=Uzi/><ref name="al-Mabhouh False Passport">{{cite web|url=http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2010/02/2010216152630833241.html|title=Report: Dubai suspects had fake passports|date=16 February 2010|publisher=Al Jazeera|access-date=16 February 2010|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100217052333/http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2010/02/2010216152630833241.html| archive-date=17 February 2010| url-status= live}}</ref> Hamas and Dubai officials maintain that al-Mabhouh entered the country under his own identity at 15:15.<ref>{{cite news|first=Phil |last=Sands |author2=Issa, Wafa |title=Assassinated al Mabhouh travelled to UAE without bodyguards |url=http://www.thenational.ae/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100131/FOREIGN/701309828/1002 |work=The National |date=31 January 2010|access-date=31 January 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100203205239/http://www.thenational.ae/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=%2F20100131%2FFOREIGN%2F701309828%2F1002 |archive-date=3 February 2010|url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=National20100201>{{cite news|first=Wafa |last=Issa |title=Al Mabhouh killed hours after arrival |url=http://www.thenational.ae/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100201/NATIONAL/701319829/1133/FOREIGN |work=The National |access-date=1 February 2010|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100820015917/http://www.thenational.ae/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=%2F20100201%2FNATIONAL%2F701319829%2F1133%2FFOREIGN |archive-date=20 August 2010}}</ref> Normally al-Mabhouh would have been protected by bodyguards, but their arrival was delayed because the guards could not get tickets for the same flight, as "There was no room for them on the flight," said Talal Nasser, a spokesman for Hamas in Damascus. "Therefore, he traveled alone, and the security guards were slated to join him the next day."<ref>{{cite news|first=Roee |last=Mahmias |title=Report: Mabhouh's bodyguards couldn't get plane tickets |url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3842015,00.html |publisher=Ynetnews |date=31 January 2010|access-date=31 January 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100203144315/http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0%2C7340%2CL-3842015%2C00.html |archive-date=3 February 2010|url-status=live }}</ref>

According to a 2018 article by ''[[Le Monde]]'' citing senior French intelligence officials, the Mossad ran the operation to kill Mabhouh out of Paris. The Mossad allegedly set up a makeshift command and control center in a hotel in the [[Bercy]] neighborhood of Paris equipped with computers and secure phones.<ref name=playground>{{Cite news|url=https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-5317287,00.html|title = Report: Paris turns into Mossad's playground|newspaper = Ynetnews|date = 26 July 2018|last1 = Shabak|first1 = Tamar}}</ref> Dubai's police chief, Lt Gen [[Dahi Khalfan Tamim]], stated that al-Mabhouh was transiting in Dubai before traveling to China.<ref name="Jerusalem Post 20100219">{{cite news|first=Yaakov |last=Lappin |title=Dubai police wants Dagan arrested |url=http://www.jpost.com/International/Article.aspx?id=169099.html |work=The Jerusalem Post|date=19 February 2010|access-date=19 February 2010|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604164333/http://www.jpost.com/International/Article.aspx?id=169099.html |archive-date=4 June 2011}}</ref> Upon arrival in Dubai, al-Mabhouh took a taxi to the Al Bustan [[Rotana Hotels|Rotana Hotel]] and settled into room 230.<ref name=CNN20100216>{{cite news |title=Dubai police identify 11 suspects in Hamas official's death |url=http://edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/meast/02/15/dubai.hamas.death/|publisher=CNN|date=16 February 2010|access-date=19 February 2010|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100328082659/http://edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/meast/02/15/dubai.hamas.death/|archive-date=28 March 2010| url-status= live}}</ref> He had asked for a room with no balcony and sealed windows, so no one could enter other than through the door. He left the hotel between 16:30 and 17:00, roughly an hour after checking in.<ref name=Haaretz20100202>{{cite news|first=Avi |last=Issacharoff|title=Who killed Mahmoud al-Mabhouh?|url=http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1146911.html |work=Haaretz|date=2 February 2010|access-date=2 February 2010|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100209234955/http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1146911.html|archive-date=9 February 2010|url-status= live}}</ref> What he did during the next three to four hours remains unclear. Dubai's police chief said he did not meet anyone in the emirate and that he went shopping.<ref name="Jerusalem Post 20100219"/> Meanwhile, the hit squad broke into his room. At 20:24 al-Mabhouh came back to the room,<ref name=CNN20100216/> and subsequently failed to answer a call from his wife half an hour later.<ref name=Haaretz20100202/>

[[File:Al Bustan Rotana room.jpg|thumb|An Al Bustan [[Rotana Hotels|Rotana Hotel]] room]]

Hotel surveillance footage was released to the public showing the suspects, who had arrived on separate flights, meeting in the hotel. While the suspects apparently used personal encrypted communication devices among themselves to avoid surveillance,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.stratfor.com/memberships/154777/analysis/20100217_uae_death_mahmoud_al_mabhouh |title=UAE: The Assassination of Mahmoud al-Mabhouh |publisher=Strategic Forecasting Inc. |access-date=21 February 2010|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100221224027/http://www.stratfor.com/memberships/154777/analysis/20100217_uae_death_mahmoud_al_mabhouh |archive-date=21 February 2010}}</ref> the suspects were alleged by Dubai police to have sent and received a number of SMS messages to telephone numbers in Austria. When al-Mabhouh arrived around 15:00, two suspects dressed in tennis attire followed him to determine which room he had checked into, as well as the number of the room immediately across the hall.

The information is alleged by the Dubai police to have been communicated to a third party, who then telephoned from a different hotel to book room 237.{{citation needed|date=February 2019}} According to surveillance videos, the individual who checked into 237 did not enter the room, but appears to have given the room key to an accomplice in the lobby of the hotel, and immediately left Dubai, prior to the assassination.{{citation needed|date=February 2019}} Al-Mabhouh, later, left the hotel and while several of the suspects kept watch, it is thought that (a) suspect(s) tried to gain entry to his room.{{citation needed|date=February 2019}}

One of the lookout suspects could be seen on video delaying a tourist who exits the elevator on the second floor at this time, apparently to give other team members time to act. While another suspect distracted the tourist, it is claimed{{by whom|date=February 2019}} that four suspects entered the victim's hotel room and waited for him to return.{{citation needed|date=February 2019}} The evidence for this is the fact that four men arrived by elevator and entered the hallway where the victim's room and the alleged perpetrator's rooms were located at this time, and the same four men immediately left after the assassination is supposed to have happened.{{citation needed|date=February 2019}}

A readout of activity that took place on the hotel room's electronic door lock indicated that an attempt was made to reprogram al-Mabhouh's electronic door lock at this time.{{citation needed|date=February 2019}} The investigators believe that the electronic lock on al-Mabhouh's door may have been reprogrammed and that the killers gained entry to his room this way.<ref>[http://muslimmedianetwork.com/mmn/?p=5810 Alleged Assassins Caught on Dubai Surveillance Tape] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722213815/http://muslimmedianetwork.com/mmn/?p=5810 |date=22 July 2011}} [[The Muslim Observer]] 18 February 2010</ref> The locks in question, [[VingCard Locklink]] brand,<ref>Dubai police video, 21:42</ref> can be accessed and reprogrammed directly at the hotel room door.

According to [[Dubai Police Force|Dubai Police]], he was dead by 21:00 that evening.<ref name=National20100201/> On 20 January 2010, the following day, a hotel cleaner attempted to gain entry, but found that the door was latched from the inside. A member of hotel security was then called in to open the door. After the door was opened, al-Mabhouh's body was discovered on the bed.<ref name="csmonitor1"/><ref name=Uzi/><ref name=BBC20100129>{{Cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/8486531.stm|title=Hamas military commander 'assassinated in Dubai'|work=BBC News|date=29 January 2010}}</ref> On the drawer next to the bed, the assassins had placed a small bottle of medicine to make it appear as if he had died of natural causes.

==Investigation==

===Cause of death===
Initially, Dubai authorities believed al-Mabhouh had died of natural causes.<ref name=Koutsoukis>{{cite news|title=Dubai adds more suspects to hit squad|author=Jason Koutsoukis|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=19 February 2010|url=http://www.smh.com.au/world/dubai-adds-more-suspects-to-hit-squad-20100218-oiye.html|access-date=19 February 2010| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100220111647/http://www.smh.com.au/world/dubai-adds-more-suspects-to-hit-squad-20100218-oiye.html|archive-date=20 February 2010| url-status= live}}</ref> Fawzi Benomran, the Dubai police coroner, said, "It was meant to look like death from natural causes during sleep." It took 10 days for the Dubai police to come to the conclusion that al-Mabhouh was assassinated. Benomran described the determination of the exact cause of death as "one of the most challenging cases" his department faced.<ref name=Daragahi>{{cite news|url=http://articles.latimes.com/2010/feb/18/world/la-fgw-dubai-mabhouh-mossad18-2010feb18|title=Dubai's police chief accuses Mossad in killing of Hamas commander|date=18 February 2010|access-date=19 February 2010|author=Borzou Daragahi| work=Los Angeles Times|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100223085808/http://articles.latimes.com/2010/feb/18/world/la-fgw-dubai-mabhouh-mossad18-2010feb18|archive-date= 23 February 2010| url-status= live}}</ref>

The ''[[Khaleej Times]]'' quoted an unnamed senior police official as saying that four masked assailants had shocked al-Mabhouh's legs before using a pillow to suffocate him.<ref>{{cite news|first=Amira|last=Agarib|title=4 suspects behind Mabhouh's murder identified|url=http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticle09.asp?xfile=data/theuae/2010/January/theuae_January922.xml&section=theuae|work=Khaleej Times|date=31 January 2010|access-date=31 January 2010}}</ref> Another story reported by [[Uzi Mahnaimi]] stated that a hit team murdered al-Mabhouh with a heart-attack inducing drug, then proceeded to take photographs of his documents before leaving.<ref name=Uzi/>

Al-Mabhouh's family said that medical teams who examined his body determined that he died in his hotel room after being strangled and receiving a massive electric shock to the head, and that blood samples examined by a French laboratory confirms that electrocution was the cause of death.<ref name="BBC20100129"/> According to [[Reuters| Reuters news agency]], traces of poison were found in al Mabhouh's autopsy.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSLDE60S075 |title=Hamas says top commander killed by Israel in Dubai|work=Reuters|date=29 January 2010|access-date=21 February 2010}}</ref> Dubai authorities stated they were ruling the death a homicide and were working with the [[Interpol|International Criminal Police Organization]] to investigate the incident.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/world/2010-01/30/c_13156460.htm|publisher=Xinhuanet|title=Hamas vows to retaliate for assassination of top Hamas militant|date=30 January 2010}}</ref>

Other news reports gave varying causes of death, including suffocation with a pillow and poisoning.<ref name="BaltimoreSun">{{Cite news|url=http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/nation-world/sns-ap-ml-israel-hamas,0,28026.story |title=Hamas claims Israeli agents assassinated one of group's top operatives in Dubai hotel room |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=29 January 2010|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604103407/http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/nation-world/sns-ap-ml-israel-hamas%2C0%2C28026.story |archive-date=4 June 2011}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/uae/crime/hamas-man-was-suffocated-with-hotel-pillow-says-dubai-police-chief-1.576068|work=Gulf News|title=Hamas man was 'suffocated with hotel pillow', says Dubai Police chief|date=30 January 2010}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.tehrantimes.com/index_View.asp?code=213411|work=Tehran Times|title=Suspects in Hamas man's killing identified|date=31 January 2010}}</ref> In an international press conference General Tamim, the head of the investigation, said that the exact cause of death is yet to be concluded.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K8XDhnEJ-N0 |title=Full Video-Part2 The assassination of Mahmoud al Mabhouh in Dubai|via=YouTube |date=31 January 2010|access-date=21 February 2010}}</ref>

Moreover, on 1 March 2010, the Dubai Police stated that he was ''first'' drugged.<ref name="ABC News">{{cite news|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/dubai-hit-police-mahmoud-al-mabhouh-killed/story?id=9973592|title=Dubai Hit: Police Say They Know How Mahmoud al-Mabhouh Was Killed|last=McGreegor-Wood|first=Simon|date=1 March 2010|access-date= 1 March 2010| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100304063445/https://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/dubai-hit-police-mahmoud-al-mabhouh-killed/story?id=9973592|archive-date=4 March 2010| url-status= live}}</ref>

Major General Khamis Mattar al-Mazeina as the deputy commander of Dubai's police gave details of the death of al-Mabhouh after forensic tests. Al-Mabhouh was injected in his leg with [[succinylcholine]], a quick-acting, depolarizing paralytic muscle relaxant.<ref name="timesonline1">{{cite news|url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/middle_east/article7044326.ece?print=yes&randnum=1151003209000 |access-date=28 May 2010}}{{dead link|date=May 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> It causes almost-instant loss of [[motor skills]], but does not induce loss of consciousness or anaesthesia.<ref name="csmonitor1"/><ref name="timesonline1"/> Then al-Mabhouh was suffocated. Al-Mazeina said, "The assassins used this method so that it would seem that his death was natural."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/8541612.stm|title=Hamas man 'drugged and suffocated' in Dubai|work=BBC News|date=28 February 2010|access-date=14 April 2010|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100401041450/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/8541612.stm|archive-date=1 April 2010|url-status= live}}</ref>

===Suspects===
Dubai's police chief, Lt. Gen. Dahi Khalfan Tamim, announced his preliminary conclusions on 18 February that, "Our investigations reveal that Mossad is involved in the murder of al-Mabhouh ... It is 99% if not 100% that Mossad is standing behind the murder."<ref name=Daragahi/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Middle-East/2010/0319/Dubai-assassination-spotlights-top-cop-skills-in-a-modern-day-Casablanca/%28page%29/2|title=Dubai assassination spotlights top cop skills in a modern-day Casablanca|publisher=[[CS Monitor]]|date=19 March 2010|access-date=28 May 2010}}</ref> After identifying the assumed names and photographs of 11 suspects, on 20 February 2010, he said his force had evidence directly incriminating the Mossad in the murder, adding that among the new evidence available were telephone communications between the suspected killers.<ref>{{cite news|title=Dubai has proof Mossad killed Hamas man|url=http://www.alarabiya.net/articles/2010/02/20/100906.html|publisher=[[Al Arabiya]] news channel|date=20 February 2010|access-date=20 February 2010}}</ref> On 24 February 2010, Dubai police identified 15 additional persons suspected of being involved in al-Mabhouh's assassination.<ref>{{cite news|title=Dubai Police name new suspects in al Mabhouh murder |url=http://www.thenational.ae/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100224/NATIONAL/100221954/1133 |work=[[The National (Abu Dhabi)|The National]] |date=24 February 2010|access-date=24 February 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100226045211/http://www.thenational.ae/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=%2F20100224%2FNATIONAL%2F100221954%2F1133 |archive-date=26 February 2010|url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.alarabiya.net/articles/2010/02/24/101364.html|title=Dubai names 15 more suspects in Hamas murder|publisher=Al Arabiya|date=24 February 2010|access-date=14 April 2010}}</ref> According to journalist [[Uzi Mahnaimi]], the decision to kill al-Mabhouh was authorized by Israel's Prime Minister, [[Benjamin Netanyahu]], after being suggested by [[Meir Dagan]], the head of the Mossad, at a meeting in early January 2010.<ref name=Mahnaimi>{{cite news|url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/middle_east/article7034933.ece|title=Mastermind of Mossad's secret war|author=Uzi Mahnaimi|date=21 February 2010|work=[[The Sunday Times]]|location=London}}</ref> Later in March, Dubai police chief said "I am now completely sure that it was Mossad," and furthermore went on to say "I have presented the (Dubai) prosecutor with a request for the arrest of (Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin) Netanyahu and the head of Mossad," for the murder of Mahmoud al-Mabhouh.<ref name="ReferenceA"/>

Dubai police said the assassins spent little time in the emirate, arriving less than a day before the assassination, killing al-Mabhouh between his arrival at 3:15&nbsp;p.m. and 9&nbsp;p.m. that night, and subsequently leaving the country before his discovery.<ref name=National20100201/> The identities used by 11 of the suspects have been made public.<ref>For pictures and passport information, see [http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/uae/crime/details-of-the-prime-suspects-1.583842 Details of the prime suspects] from ''[[Gulf News]]''</ref> The total number of suspects stands at 18, all of whom entered the country using fake or fraudulently obtained passports.<ref name=IT20/><ref name=DR>{{cite web|url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/uk-world-news/2010/02/19/israeli-secret-service-mossad-to-blame-for-killing-of-hamas-commander-in-dubai-says-police-chief-86908-22054323/|title=Israeli secret service Mossad to blame for killing of Hamas commander in Dubai, says police chief|date=19 February 2010|author=Chris Hughes|access-date=20 February 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100223042408/http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/uk-world-news/2010/02/19/israeli-secret-service-mossad-to-blame-for-killing-of-hamas-commander-in-dubai-says-police-chief-86908-22054323/|archive-date=23 February 2010| url-status= live}}</ref> Dubai police, who stated that their airport personnel were trained by Europeans to identify faked documents, said that the European passports used were not forgeries.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/149825/reftab/149/Default.aspx |title=EU passports of Hamas murder suspects not fake: Dubai police|work=[[Arab Times]]|access-date=18 February 2010}}</ref> British, Canadian, and Irish governments said the passports bearing their countries' names were, "either fraudulently obtained or [are] outright fakes."<ref name=TheWeek>{{cite web|url=http://www.theweek.com/article/index/106488/Instant_briefing_Dubai_Hit_Squad|title=Instant briefing: 'Dubai Hit Squad'|date=18 February 2010|access-date=20 February 2010|work=The Week}}</ref> All the stolen passports are from countries that do not need visas for the UAE.<ref name="SMH1">[http://www.smh.com.au/national/mossad-hit-snares-australians-20100225-p60e.html?skin=text-only 'Mossad' hit snares Australians] ''[[The Sydney Morning Herald]]'' 26 February 2010</ref>

*United Kingdom: Six passports with the names Paul John Keely, Stephan Daniel Hodes, Melvyn Adam Mildiner, Jonathan Louis Graham, James Leonard Clarke, and Michael Lawrence Barney,<ref name=Telegraph>{{cite news|first=Adrian |last=Blomfield|author2=Hough, Andrew|title=Dubai accuses British passport holders of killing Hamas chief |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/dubai/7246914/Dubai-accuses-British-passport-holders-of-killing-Hamas-chief.html|work=The Telegraph|date=16 February 2010|access-date=16 February 2010|location=London|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100218164919/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/dubai/7246914/Dubai-accuses-British-passport-holders-of-killing-Hamas-chief.html|archive-date=18 February 2010|url-status= live}}</ref> and another six passports with the names Daniel Marc Schnur, Gabriella Barney, Roy Allan Cannon, Stephen Keith Drake, Mark Sklur, and Philip Carr.<ref name=DubaiFT>{{cite news|url=http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/d185689c-216f-11df-830e-00144feab49a.html|title=Dubai police press statement|date=25 February 2010|work=Financial Times|access-date=1 March 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111206212526/http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/d185689c-216f-11df-830e-00144feab49a.html |archive-date=6 December 2011| url-status= live}}</ref> On 24 May 2010, another British suspect was publicized - Briton Christopher Lockwood.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748704904604575262300227315806|work=The Wall Street Journal| first=Chip|last=Cummins|title=U.A.E. Seeks Briton in Hamas Official's Death|date=24 May 2010}}</ref> It was later discovered that this suspect had stolen the identity of an Israeli soldier who was killed in the Yom Kippur War.<ref>{{cite news|last=Harman|first=Danna|url=http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/report-suspect-in-dubai-assassination-used-identity-of-fallen-idf-soldier-1.318106|title=Suspect in Dubai assassination used identity of fallen IDF soldier |work=Haaretz|date=10 October 2010|access-date=17 November 2012}}</ref>
*Republic of Ireland : Three passports with the names Gail Folliard, Kevin Daveron, and Evan Dennings and another three with the names Ivy Brinton, Anna Shauna Clasby, and Chester Halvey.<ref name=DubaiFT/> Ireland's [[Department of Foreign Affairs (Ireland)|Department of Foreign Affairs]] declared that the passports used by the suspects were counterfeit<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3850012,00.html |title=Ireland says passports used in Dubai fake|date=16 February 2010|newspaper=Ynetnews|access-date=18 February 2010|last1=Ap|first1=Reuters and}}</ref> and stated that it was "unable to identify any of those three individuals as being genuine Irish". According to the department, Ireland has never issued passports in those names.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1150127.html|title=Ireland confirms 'Irish' Dubai killers don't exist|work=Haaretz|access-date=18 February 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100217172943/http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1150127.html|archive-date=17 February 2010| url-status= live}}</ref> While the names and signatures were fake, the numbers on the passports were genuine, and belong to Irish citizens.<ref name=IT20>{{cite news|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/world/2010/0220/1224264879232.html|title=Search still on for fifth passport holder|work=The Irish Times|date=20 February 2010|access-date=20 February 2010}}</ref> Four of the five citizens have been contacted by the Department of Foreign Affairs, all of whom live in Ireland; none of them have travelled to the Middle East, lost their passports or had them stolen.<ref name=IT20/>
*France: One passport with the name Peter Elvinger (suspected of being used by the hit squad leader,<ref>{{cite news|author=correspondents in Dubai|url=http://www.news.com.au/world/hit-squad-named-in-dubai-hotel-murder-of-hamas-figure/story-e6frfkyi-1225830830914|title='Hit squad' named in Dubai hotel murder of Hamas figure Mahmud al-Mabhuh |publisher=News|access-date=18 February 2010|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100219043935/http://www.news.com.au/world/hit-squad-named-in-dubai-hotel-murder-of-hamas-figure/story-e6frfkyi-1225830830914|archive-date=19 February 2010| url-status= live}}</ref> and logistical coordinator), plus another three passports with the names David Bernard LaPierre, Mélanie Heard, and Eric Rassineux.<ref name=DubaiFT/><ref name=Issa20100216>{{cite news|first=Wafa|last=Issa|title=They came, they killed, and in hours they were gone|url=http://www.thenational.ae/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100216/NATIONAL/702159835/1010|work=The National|date=16 February 2010|access-date=16 February 2010}}</ref> According to a spokesman of the French [[Ministry of Foreign Affairs (France)|Foreign Affairs ministry]], the passport in the name of Elvinger was counterfeit.<ref>[https://pastel.diplomatie.gouv.fr/editorial/actual/ael2/pointpresse.asp?liste=20100218.html 2 – ASSASSINAT D'UN CADRE DU HAMAS A DUBAI] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110725105613/https://pastel.diplomatie.gouv.fr/editorial/actual/ael2/pointpresse.asp?liste=20100218.html |date=25 July 2011}}, Point de Presse, 18 February 2010</ref> The French government summoned the Israeli chargé d'affaires in Paris on 18 February and the French Foreign Ministry issued a statement expressing, "deep concern about the malicious and fraudulent use of these French administrative documents."<ref name=Jpost0118>{{cite news|url=http://www.jpost.com/International/Article.aspx?id=169035|title= Paris summons Israeli envoy over Mabhouh|agency=Associated Press| work=The Jerusalem Post|date=18 February 2010|access-date=18 February 2010}}</ref>
*Germany: One passport with the name Michael Bodenheimer.<ref name=Issa20100216/> German officials initially said that the passport number which they received from the authorities in Dubai is either incomplete or does not exist.<ref name="google2"/> Later, it was revealed that the passport was genuine. According to German federal investigators, an Israeli man named Michael Bodenheimer acquired German citizenship in June 2008 after providing immigration officials in [[Cologne]] with the pre-World War II address of his grandparents and his parents' marriage certificate.<ref name=Haaretz201020>{{cite web|url=http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1151069.html|title=German passport tied to Dubai hit wasn't forged|author=Yossi Melman|work=Haaretz|date=20 February 2010|access-date=20 February 2010|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100223033913/http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1151069.html|archive-date=23 February 2010|url-status= live}}</ref><ref name=SpiegelB/> He stated that he was an Israeli citizen and gave his address as a temporary "virtual office" that he had bought in [[Herzliya]] (as of 22 February the office does not exist anymore).<ref name=SpiegelB>{{cite news|title=The Dubai Assassins: Alleged Killer Left Traces in Cologne and Israel |author1=Christoph Schult |author2=Holger Stark |name-list-style=amp |url=http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/0,1518,679530,00.html |date=22 February 2010|access-date=1 March 2010|work=Der Spiegel |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100224110156/http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/0%2C1518%2C679530%2C00.html |archive-date=24 February 2010|url-status=live }}</ref> A Michael Bodenheimer who lives in Israel and holds dual American and Israeli citizenships said he does not know how his identity was stolen.<ref name=Haaretz201020/> One person who has the passport name ''Uri Brodsky'' was arrested in Poland in early June 2010. He was in Cologne with Michael Bodenheimer and Germany is seeking his extradition.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/world/asia_pacific/10302022.stm Israeli wanted over Dubai killing 'held in Poland',Source: BBC News Online, 12 June 2010]</ref> See sub-heading [[#Alexander Verin/Uri Brodsky|"Alexander Verin/Uri Brodsky"]] below for more information.
*Australia: Three passports with the names Nicole Sandra Mccabe (who at the time was heavily pregnant according to her mother<ref>{{cite web|last=Cuneo|first=Clementine|url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/parents-of-aussies-named-as-suspects-in-the-assassination-of-a-hamas-militant-fear-their-childrens-lives-are-in-danger/story-e6frf7jo-1225834319482 |title=Parents of Aussies named as suspects in the assassination of a Hamas militant fear their children's lives are in danger |work=Herald Sun|date=25 February 2010|access-date=14 April 2010}}</ref>), Adam Korman and Joshua Aaron Krycer.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/03/09/2840199.htm|title=Fourth Australian passport used in Dubai hit|newspaper=ABC News|publisher=ABC|date=9 March 2010|access-date=14 April 2010|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100412084706/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/03/09/2840199.htm| archive-date=12 April 2010|url-status= live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.smh.com.au/national/kill-squad-passport-link-its-not-my-son-says-aussie-mother-20100225-p5fz.html |title=Kill squad passport link: it's not my son, says Aussie mother |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=25 February 2010|access-date=14 April 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100410031555/http://www.smh.com.au/national/kill-squad-passport-link-its-not-my-son-says-aussie-mother-20100225-p5fz.html |archive-date=10 April 2010|url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/article7054855.ece |access-date=9 March 2010|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110605011604/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/article7054855.ece |archive-date=5 June 2011}}</ref> Adam Marcus Korman, an Israeli-Australian citizen living in Israel, said that he was shocked and angry that his identity was stolen.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.ynet.co.il/articles/0,7340,L-3854066,00.html |title=ה"ה'מחסל' מדובאי בשדרות רוטשילד 'אני בהלם' – חדשות|date=24 February 2010|newspaper=[[Ynet]]|access-date=14 April 2010|last1=זיתון|first1=יואב}}</ref> In addition, the other three names are names of residents of Israel.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/babylonbeyond/2010/02/dubai-more-fallout-from-mabhouh-assasination-australia-says-passport-abuse-not-the-act-of-a-friend.html|title=In fallout from Mabhouh killing, Australia says passport abuse is 'not the act of a friend'|work=Los Angeles Times|date=25 February 2010|access-date=20 April 2010|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100402081352/http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/babylonbeyond/2010/02/dubai-more-fallout-from-mabhouh-assasination-australia-says-passport-abuse-not-the-act-of-a-friend.html|archive-date=2 April 2010| url-status= live}}</ref> A man named Joshua Krycer works in a hospital located in Jerusalem.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/8557255.stm|title=Fourth Australian named by Dubai in Hamas killings|publisher=BBC|date=9 March 2010|access-date=14 April 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|author=John Lyons, Middle East correspondent|url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/world/passport-in-name-of-joshua-aaron-krycer-linked-to-hamas-assassination/story-e6frg6so-1225838561842|title=Passport in name of Joshua Aaron Krycer linked to Hamas assassination |work=The Australian|date=9 March 2010|access-date=14 April 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|author1=Stuart Rintoul |author2=John Lyons |url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/nation/fourth-aussie-in-dubai-passport-rort/story-e6frg6nf-1225838883489 |title=Fourth Aussie in Dubai passport rort|work=The Australian|date=10 March 2010|access-date=14 April 2010}}</ref>

The names used on the [[British passport]]s belong to suspects who live in Israel and hold [[dual citizenship]]s.<ref name=McCarthy>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2010/feb/17/british-israelis-stolen-identities|title=Dubai murder: The British-Israelis who had their identities stolen|author=Rory McCarthy|work=The Guardian|date=17 February 2010|access-date=18 February 2010|location=London|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100219081100/http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/feb/17/british-israelis-stolen-identities| archive-date=19 February 2010| url-status= live}}</ref> An analysis of the assassination in ''[[The Jewish Chronicle]]'' noted that this, "is the first real piece of information that could link Israel to the operation."<ref name=Anshel>{{cite web|url=http://www.thejc.com/news/israel-news/28364/analysis-if-it-was-mossad-then-was-it-a-success|title=Analysis: If it was Mossad, then was it a success?|author=Anshel Pfeffer|work=The Jewish Chronicle|date=18 February 2010|access-date=18 January 2010}}</ref> According to Palestine Chronicle Post, Mossad is known to use the identities of Israelis with dual citizenship. In 1997, two Mossad agents traveled with Canadian passports of dual citizenship Israelis to Amman in a botched attempt on the life of Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal.<ref name="The Palestine Chronicle Post 20100211">{{cite news|first=Tammy|last=Obeidallah|title=Israel Gets Away with Murder ... Again|url=http://palestinechronicle.com/view_article_details.php?id=15736|date=11 February 2010|access-date=19 February 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100217081837/http://palestinechronicle.com/view_article_details.php?id=15736|archive-date=17 February 2010|url-status=dead}}</ref> According to former [[katsa]] [[Victor Ostrovsky]], a Canadian citizen, the Mossad formerly asked permission to use the passports of Israelis with dual nationality, but "I believe at some point, they stopped asking."<ref>{{cite news|first=Borzou |last=Daragahi |title=A bumbling Mossad hand suspected in Dubai assassination |url=http://www.latimes.com/news/nation-and-world/la-fg-dubai-mabhouh19-2010feb19,0,2458273.story |work=Los Angeles Times|date=19 February 2010|access-date=19 February 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100324130805/http://www.latimes.com/news/nation-and-world/la-fg-dubai-mabhouh19-2010feb19%2C0%2C2458273.story |archive-date=24 March 2010|url-status=live }}</ref>

A Jerusalem-based British citizen whose name was used on one of the passports told [[Reuters]] news agency that he has never been to Dubai and had no connection with the Mossad or the killing. He said that he did not "know how this happened or who chose my name or why".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/reuters/100216/world/international_us_uae_hamas_israel |title="It's not me," man in Israel says in hit-squad saga |agency=Reuters |access-date=18 February 2010|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100219114117/http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/reuters/100216/world/international_us_uae_hamas_israel |archive-date=19 February 2010}}</ref> In addition, three other Israelis whose names appeared on the passports reported to the Israeli [[Channel 2 (Israel)|Channel 2]] news that they did not understand the coincidence, and were not related at all to the suspects.<ref name="google2"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://reshet.ynet.co.il/חדשות/News/Politics/Security/Article,37929.aspx |title=חדשות 2 – מחסלי המוסד בישראל מגיבים |publisher=Israel News 2 |access-date=18 February 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100302083806/http://reshet.ynet.co.il/%D7%97%D7%93%D7%A9%D7%95%D7%AA/News/Politics/Security/Article%2C37929.aspx |archive-date=2 March 2010|url-status=dead }}</ref> In the wake of the revelation that passports of British citizens had figured prominently in the operation, the United Kingdom's [[Serious Organised Crime Agency]] (SOCA) launched its own investigation into the matter,<ref>{{cite news|first=Michael|last=Evans|author2=Booth, Jenny|author3= Tomlinson, Hugh|title=Ex-MI5 boss heads UK inquiry into Dubai assassination|url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/middle_east/article7030603.ece|work=The Times|date=17 February 2010|access-date=17 February 2010|location=London}}</ref> and plans to interview the first round of British passport holders that had their identities stolen.<ref>{{cite news|first=Adrian|last=Blomfield|author2=Malkin, Bonnie |title=SOCA to interview passport holders in Israel |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/israel/7326215/SOCA-to-interview-passport-holders-in-Israel.html |work=The Telegraph|date=26 February 2010|access-date=26 February 2010|location=London}}</ref> The British [[Foreign and Commonwealth Office|Foreign Office]] also summoned the Israeli ambassador on 18 February to share information on the matter.<ref>{{cite news|title=UK 'invites' Israeli envoy for talk|url=http://www.jpost.com/International/Article.aspx?id=168990 |work=[[The Jerusalem Post]]|date=18 February 2010|access-date=18 February 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=Julian|last=Borger|title=Britain summons Israeli ambassador over Dubai murder|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2010/feb/17/israeli-ambassador-summoned-dubai-murder|work=The Guardian|date=17 February 2010|access-date=17 February 2010|location=London|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100219075826/http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/feb/17/israeli-ambassador-summoned-dubai-murder| archive-date= 19 February 2010| url-status= live}}</ref> The British government denied claims that Mossad had tipped off the UK that their passports would be used for an operation.<ref>{{cite news|first=Ian|last=Black|title=Britain denies advance knowledge of Dubai killing|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2010/feb/19/britain-israel-mossad-dubai-hamas|work=The Guardian|date=19 February 2010|access-date=19 February 2010|location=London| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100221070407/http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/feb/19/britain-israel-mossad-dubai-hamas| archive-date= 21 February 2010| url-status= live}}</ref>

The photographs of 11 of the suspected killers were added to Interpol's most wanted list on 18 February, with a note specifying that they had been published since the identities adopted by the suspects were faked. Dubai airport officials carried out routine retinal scans on 11 of the suspects sought in the assassination when they entered the country and Dubai police said they would publish the scans through INTERPOL.<ref name=Haaretz0218>{{cite web|url=http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1150754.html|title=Interpol adds suspected Dubai assassins to most wanted list|authors=Avi Issacharoff, Haaretz Correspondent, Haaretz Service and News Agencies|work=[[Haaretz]]|date=18 February 2010|access-date=18 February 2010| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100220042257/http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1150754.html| archive-date= 20 February 2010| url-status= live}}</ref>

YNetnews said some hit squad members fled to Iran after the assassination.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3854035,00.html|title=Dubai says identified 15 new suspects in Mabhouh killing; some fled to Iran|date=24 February 2010|newspaper=Ynetnews|access-date=14 April 2010|last1=Reuters|first1=Eyal Lehman and}}</ref>

Seventeen of the suspects used MasterCards branded by [[MetaBank]] of Storm Lake, Iowa but issued by Payoneer Inc which were used to buy their plane tickets in other countries before their arrival in Dubai.<ref name=SMH201020>{{cite news|url=http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-world/dubai-police-say-mossad-killed-hamas-man-20100220-omua.html|agency=Agence France-Presse|title=Dubai police say Mossad killed Hamas man|date=20 February 2010|access-date=20 February 2010|work=The Sydney Morning Herald| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100223003919/http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-world/dubai-police-say-mossad-killed-hamas-man-20100220-omua.html|archive-date=23 February 2010| url-status= live}}</ref><ref name=Reuters201020>{{cite news|url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3851801,00.html |title=Dubai says new evidence links Israel to hit |newspaper=Ynetnews |agency=Reuters |publisher=[[Ynet]] |date=20 February 2010|access-date=20 February 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100222050335/http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0%2C7340%2CL-3851801%2C00.html |archive-date=22 February 2010|url-status=live |author-link=Reuters }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.albawaba.com/en/news/261748|title=Dubai: Number of suspects in Mabouh killing rises to 26|publisher=Albawaba|date=14 February 2010|access-date=14 April 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/middle_east/article7039272.ece |access-date=24 February 2010|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100601230735/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/middle_east/article7039272.ece |archive-date=1 June 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/meast/02/24/uae.murder.plot/index.html |title=Dubai murder suspects climb to 26 |publisher=CNN |date=25 February 2010|access-date=14 April 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100403094722/http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/meast/02/24/uae.murder.plot/index.html |archive-date=3 April 2010|url-status=live }}</ref> Other credit cards show ties to Britain's Nationwide Building Society, IDT Finance of Gilbraltar, and Germany's DZ Bank AG.<ref>{{cite news|last=Abi|first=Maria |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748704240004575085162815073170?mod=WSJ_hpp_sections_world|title=Dubai Names 15 More Suspects in Hamas Leader's Death|work=The Wall Street Journal|date=24 February 2010|access-date=21 April 2010|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100329003325/http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704240004575085162815073170.html?mod=WSJ_hpp_sections_world|archive-date=29 March 2010| url-status= live}}</ref>
Payoneer is an Israeli start-up now based in New York with R&D offices and a majority of its employees in Tel Aviv. CEO [[Yuval Tal]], is a former member of the [[IDF Special Forces]]. Payoneer is held by three venture capital firms: [[Greylock Partners]], [[Carmel Ventures]], and [[Crossbar Capital]]. Greylock, which has offices in the U.S. and Herzliya, Israel, was established by Moshe Mor, a former military intelligence captain in the Israeli army. Carmel Ventures is an Israeli venture capital fund based in Herzliya. Crossbar Partners is run by Charlie Federman, who is also managing director of the BRM Group, a venture capital fund also in Herzliya that was co-founded by [[Nir Barkat]], the former [[mayor of Jerusalem]]. Mossad HQ are located in Herzliya.<ref name="Gulf Newsl">{{cite web| url=http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/uae/crime/no-us-help-requested-in-al-mabhouh-case-police-1.591193|title= No US help requested in Al Mabhouh case – police|work=Gulf News|date=3 March 2010|access-date=3 March 2010}}</ref>

The ''[[New York Post]]'' originally reported that Tal has disappeared since his company was identified as the issuer of some of the killers' credit cards, with his Brooklyn neighbors telling the [[NYPD]] that he left the country.<ref>[http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/nyer_linked_to_dubai_hit_disappears_ILkzvXvivqm91z6UhhkpTN NYer linked to Dubai hit disappears] New York Post 10 March 2010</ref> He reappeared a day later, however.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.observer.com/2010/wall-street/payoneer-yuval-tal-hasnt-disappeared-hes-israel-business|title=Yuval Tal Reappears! Payoneer's CEO Hasn't Vanished, Just 'on a Business Trip in Israel'|work=Observer|date=11 March 2010|access-date=14 April 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100429194659/http://www.observer.com/2010/wall-street/payoneer-yuval-tal-hasnt-disappeared-hes-israel-business|archive-date=29 April 2010|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The [[Dubai Police]] has found the DNA of one person and some fingerprints of other persons which are suspected.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1152584.html|title=Dubai police: We have '100 percent' DNA proof of one assassin|work=Haaretz|date=26 February 2010|access-date=14 April 2010| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100413205328/http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1152584.html|archive-date=13 April 2010|url-status= live}}</ref> The chief of Dubai Police Lieutenant General [[Dhahi Khalfan Tamim]] said that there are 648 hours of video films in which the 27 suspected persons are appearing<ref>[http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3857239,00.html 648 hours of video films with the 27 suspected persons] YnetNews March, 3rd 2010</ref> and announced that the police has found the DNA of four suspected agents.<ref>{{cite web|author=Ahmed al Sharif|url=http://www.alarabiya.net/articles/2010/03/11/102731.html|title=Says police has DNA of four Mossad agents|publisher=Al Arabiya|date=11 March 2010|access-date=14 April 2010}}</ref>

===Arrests===
Two Palestinians, Ahmad Hasnin, an intelligence operative of the [[Fatah]]-controlled [[Palestinian National Authority|Palestinian Authority]] (PA), and Anwar Shekhaiber, an employee of the PA in Ramallah, were arrested in Jordan and handed over to Dubai as suspected accomplices to the assassination, suspected of giving logistical assistance such as providing car rentals and hotel bookings.<ref name="csmonitor1"/><ref>{{cite news|title=Interpol adds suspected Dubai assassins to most wanted list|url=http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1150754.html|newspaper=Haaretz|date=18 February 2010|access-date=18 February 2010|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100220042257/http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1150754.html|archive-date=20 February 2010|url-status= live}}</ref> Hamas claimed that their arrest was evidence linking the Palestinian Authority to the killing, while the Palestinian Authority retorted by accusing the arrested Palestinians of being members of Hamas.<ref>{{cite news|first=Ali|last=Waked|title=PA says won't reveal identity of Dubai assassin suspects|url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3849818,00.html|newspaper=Ynet News|date=16 February 2010|access-date=16 February 2010}}</ref>

The two men are reported to be related to one another and to have lived in Gaza until Hamas took over full control of the Strip in 2006. One went straight to Dubai, while the other joined him after first going to Ramallah, where he was sentenced to death by a Palestinian Authority court, a punishment generally handed down to Israeli collaborators.<ref name=Frenkel>{{cite news|url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/middle_east/article7034183.ece|author=Sheera Frankel|title='Collaborators' could link Mossad with Dubai killing|date=19 February 2010|access-date=19 February 2010|newspaper=The Times|location=London}}</ref> The recruitment of Ahmad Hasnin by the Mossad could have been done when he was imprisoned by Israel for a month in June 2007 for his involvement with [[Al Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades]], the military wing for Fatah. He came to the UAE in 2008, according to a family source.<ref name=TheNational>{{cite news|url=http://www.thenational.ae/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100220/NATIONAL/702199792/1133/opinion|title=Al Mabhouh suspects' credit cards were in fake names|newspaper=The National|date=19 February 2010|access-date=19 February 2010}}</ref>

Dubai authorities said that one of the two Palestinians held in custody met a suspect in a suspicious place, time and manner, while the second is closely related to him and was found to have already been sentenced to death by one of the Palestinian parties. The second suspect is wanted by Hamas. They are both being held to ensure that no one comes to execute them.<ref name=autogenerated1>{{cite news|url=http://www.gulfnews.com/news/gulf/uae/crime/al-mabhouh-was-easy-target-for-assassins-says-dubai-police-chief-1.586084|title=Al Mabhouh was easy target for assassins, says Dubai Police chief|author=Siham Al Najami|newspaper=Gulf News|date=20 February 2010|access-date=20 February 2010|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100222235735/http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/uae/crime/al-mabhouh-was-easy-target-for-assassins-says-dubai-police-chief-1.586084|archive-date=22 February 2010| url-status= live}}</ref>

A ''[[Haaretz]]'' report based on information from an unnamed Arab diplomatic source said that Dubai police had asked Syria to detain Mohammed Nasser and other Hamas men for questioning. According to media reports, Nasser was in Dubai in the days before al-Mabhouh's killing and was intimately familiar with his schedule and whereabouts.<ref name=Haaretzservice>{{cite news|date=23 February 2010|title=Iran: Dubai hit is an act of state terrorism by Israel|url=http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1151781.html|access-date=1 March 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100413232022/http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1151781.html|archive-date=13 April 2010}}</ref>

Dubai Police chief Dahi Khalfan said on 3 March 2010 he requested for the Dubai prosecutor to issue arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the head of Mossad, Meir Dagan for the murder.<ref name=news.com.au>{{cite news|date=3 March 2010|title=Israeli PM's arrest sought over murder|url=http://www.news.com.au/breaking-news/israeli-pms-arrest-sought-over-murder/story-e6frfku0-1225836329886|access-date=3 March 2010|agency=Agence France-Presse|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100303224202/http://www.news.com.au/breaking-news/israeli-pms-arrest-sought-over-murder/story-e6frfku0-1225836329886|archive-date=3 March 2010|url-status= live}}</ref>

He also announced Canada had arrested a suspect who "was among the preparatory group which arrived in the country and left it before the crime was committed." The suspect was reported to be one amongst a number of suspects for whom Interpol has issued [[red corner notice]]s on behalf of the UAE.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.almanar.com.lb/newssite/NewsDetails.aspx?id=158711&language=en |title=New Details |newspaper=Al Manar |access-date=17 November 2012}}{{dead link|date=May 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> The following day, however, the Canadian embassy in the UAE denied this but said they were liaising with authorities back in Canada to verify the status of the arrest.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.almanar.com.lb/newssite/NewsDetails.aspx?id=158788&language=en |title=New Details |newspaper=Almanar |access-date=17 November 2012}}{{dead link|date=May 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>

====Alexander Verin/Uri Brodsky====
On 4 June 2010, Polish police arrested a man at Warsaw airport carrying a false passport with the name Uri Brodsky, who was wanted by German authorities.<ref>[http://www.therightperspective.org/2010/06/13/arrest-made-in-mossad-passport-scandal Arrest Made In Mossad Passport Scandal] The Right Perspective, 13 June 2010</ref> A [[European Arrest Warrant]] from Germany specified that Brodsky, also known as Alexander Verin (or Varin), was "suspected of being involved in illegally obtaining a [German] passport" for another man known as Michael Bodenheimer, who is alleged to have taken part in Mahmoud al-Mabhouh's murder.<ref>[http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/0,1518,701826,00.html Arrest of Suspected Mossad Agent Strains German-Israeli Relations] Der Spiegel, 21 June 2010</ref> A Polish court approved Brodsky's extradition to Germany on 7&nbsp;July, pending appeal.<ref>[https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/07/05/AR2010070501285.html Alleged Mossad spy appears in Polish court]{{dead link|date=June 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} The Washington Post, 5 July 2010</ref><ref>[http://www.jpost.com/Home/Article.aspx?id=180737 Poland to extradite alleged Mossad agent] The Jerusalem Post, 7 July 2010</ref> However, the extradition was approved on the basis that Brodsky would not face German charges of espionage – instead he would only face the lesser charge of falsely-obtaining documents.<ref>[http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/poland-to-extradite-alleged-mossad-agent-tied-to-dubai-killing-1.300595 Poland to extradite alleged Mossad agent] Haaretz, 7 July 2010</ref> Brodsky was transferred to German custody on 12&nbsp;August, released on €100,000 bail on 13 August, and flown back to Israel on 14 August.<ref>[http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3935817,00.html German judge sets 'Uri Brodsky' free on bail] ynetnews, 13 August 2010</ref><ref>[http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/suspected-mossad-agent-lands-in-israel-after-released-in-germany-1.308057 Suspected Mossad agent lands in Israel after released in Germany] Haaretz, 16 August 2010</ref> The German prosecutor indicated that Brodsky would not have to face trial after all, but instead that "the matter can now be dealt with by written proceedings," most likely resulting in a fine.<ref>[https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE67C2Z120100813 Germany releases suspected Israeli spy] Reuters, 13 August 2010</ref> At the end of 2010, Germany suspended the case of falsifying documents in lieu of a €60,000 fine; however, a German arrest warrant on the espionage charges remains in effect.<ref>[http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/0,1518,druck-739908,00.html The Anatomy of Mossad's Dubai Operation] Der Spiegel, 15 January 2011</ref>

====Arrest of a top suspect====
On 11 October 2010, ''The National'' of Abu Dhabi published an interview with Dubai's police chief Lt. Gen. Dahi Khalfan Tamim, in which he claims that a western country had arrested a top suspect of killing al-Mabhouh about two months earlier. The ambassador of the western country does not want to name the country and the name of the arrested suspect. Tamim expressed frustration at the lack of detail: "Why is it that every time an Israeli is involved in a crime, everyone goes mute? We want anyone who is dealing with this case to deal with it as a security case, and not to pay attention to any other consideration."<ref>[https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748703794104575545750050113226 Chip Cummins, Dubai Police Report Arrest in Hamas Murder Case, Wall Street Journal, 11 October 2010]</ref><ref>Festnahme im Fall Mabhuh, (engl. Arrest in case Mabbuh), Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, 12 October 2010 (in German)</ref><ref>[http://www.haaretz.com/news/international/dubai-police-suspect-in-hamas-assassination-arrested-abroad-1.318463?localLinksEnabled=false Dubai police: Suspect in Hamas assassination arrested abroad]{{dead link|date=March 2016}} 'Haaretz', 11 October 2010</ref>

==Reactions==

===Countries===
*{{flagicon|United Arab Emirates}} United Arab Emirates – Sheik Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Foreign Minister of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) said, "The abuse of passports poses a global threat, affecting both countries' national security as well as the personal security of travelers."<ref name=Fox201021 /> He also said that those responsible would be brought to account, noting that, "The UAE firmly believes that relations among nations should be conducted on the basis of respect for sovereignty, mutual trust and within the framework of international norms. Like all civilised nations, we abide by these principles and we will deal with this criminal act within the international framework expected of civilised nations."<ref name=DNA>{{cite news|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/world/report_killers-of-hamas-leader-used-diplomatic-passports-dubai-police_1350886|title=Killers of Hamas leader used diplomatic passports: Dubai Police|newspaper=DNA|date=21 February 2010|access-date=21 February 2010|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100328085418/http://www.dnaindia.com/world/report_killers-of-hamas-leader-used-diplomatic-passports-dubai-police_1350886|archive-date= 28 March 2010|url-status=live}}</ref> Anwar Gargash, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, expressed the country's deep concern that expertly doctored passports from nations that do not require advance visas were used by the suspected killers. UAE officials said they remained in "close contact with the concerned European governments," listing the United Kingdom, Ireland, France, Germany and Austria.<ref name=Fox201021>{{cite news|url=http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,587077,00.html|title=United Arab Emirates Demand Passport Probe in Hamas Murder|publisher=[[Fox News Channel]]|date=21 February 2010|access-date=21 February 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100224062229/http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,587077,00.html|archive-date=24 February 2010|url-status=dead}}</ref> Lieutenant General Dahi Khalfan Tamim said on 1 March 2010, during the International Security National Resilience Exhibition & Conference at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, that the police of the UAE will develop the skills to identify persons who are Israelis. So the police will deny the entry of any person as a suspected Israeli.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thenational.ae/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100301/NATIONAL/100309997/1138/SPORT |title=UAE on alert for Israeli dual citizens|newspaper=The National|date=1 March 2010|access-date=14 April 2010}}</ref>
*{{flagicon|United Kingdom}} United Kingdom – [[Foreign and Commonwealth Office|Britain's Foreign Office]] believes that the passports used were fraudulent;<ref name="google2">{{cite news|author1=Brian Murphy |author2=Barbara Surk |name-list-style=amp |url=https://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5iwVdaYpYsBz7wKRCUxpcqhtjr31AD9DTEN2O2 |title=Dubai seeks global dragnet for Hamas slaying |agency=Associated Press |access-date=18 February 2010|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100220083109/https://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5iwVdaYpYsBz7wKRCUxpcqhtjr31AD9DTEN2O2 |archive-date=20 February 2010}}</ref> one report indicated that they had issued the passports in January 2010, the only difference between the actual identities being the photographs.<ref>{{cite news|title=Dubai assassins stole identities of six UK citizens|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2010/feb/17/dubai-assassins-stolen-british-identities|newspaper=The Guardian|date=17 February 2010|access-date=17 February 2010|location=London|first=Julian|last=Borger|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100218210507/http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/feb/17/dubai-assassins-stolen-british-identities| archive-date=18 February 2010|url-status=live}}</ref> ''[[The Daily Telegraph|The Telegraph]]'' reported on 20 February that diplomatic sources say that the passport fraud was carried out by Israeli immigration officials. It is claimed that the dual Israeli-British citizens had their passports taken from them as they passed through the airport in [[Tel Aviv]] – the details on the documents were recorded (and they were most likely photocopied), and then used to create new documents. These new documents sported the pictures of the suspects, but used the names and numbers of those whose identities were stolen.<ref name=Telegraph201020>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/dubai/7280176/Israeli-immigration-officials-copied-British-passports-used-by-hit-squad-ministers-told.html|title=Israeli immigration officials copied British passports used by hit squad, ministers told|author=Melissa Kite|newspaper=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|date=20 February 2010|access-date=20 February 2010| location=London|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100223012431/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/dubai/7280176/Israeli-immigration-officials-copied-British-passports-used-by-hit-squad-ministers-told.html|archive-date=23 February 2010|url-status=live}}</ref> As a result of an investigation by the British [[Serious Organised Crime Agency]], the government concluded that there were "compelling evidence to believe that Israel was responsible for the misuse of the British passports."<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/7506003/Mossad-spy-expelled-over-passport-cloning-row.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100327132138/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/7506003/Mossad-spy-expelled-over-passport-cloning-row.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=27 March 2010 |title=Mossad spy expelled over passport cloning row|date=24 March 2010|author=Rosa Prince|newspaper=The Daily Telegraph|access-date=24 March 2010| location=London}}</ref> The [[British Foreign Secretary]] [[David Miliband]] expelled a senior Israeli diplomat, who was thought to be the Mossad's station commander in the country.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/israel/7507093/David-Miliband-Israeli-cloning-of-British-passports-was-intolerable.html|title=David Miliband: Israeli cloning of British passports was 'intolerable'|date=23 March 2010|author1=Rosa Prince  |author2=Adrian Blomfield |name-list-style=amp |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph|access-date=24 March 2010| location=London}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Bowen|first=Jeremy|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/8583041.stm|title=Expulsion of diplomat sends a strong signal to Israel|newspaper=BBC News|date=23 March 2010|access-date=14 April 2010|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100408045254/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/8583041.stm| archive-date=8 April 2010| url-status= live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/8582518.stm|title=Britain expels Israeli diplomat over Dubai passport row|newspaper=BBC News|date=23 March 2010|access-date=14 April 2010|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100414110745/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/8582518.stm|archive-date=14 April 2010|url-status= live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/europe/03/23/uae.hamas.killing/?hpt=T1|title=Israel behind passport forgery in Dubai killing|publisher=CNN|date=23 March 2010|access-date=14 April 2010}}</ref> Britain also issued a warning to British passport holders traveling to Israel to "only hand your passport over to third parties including Israeli officials when absolutely necessary".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and-living-abroad/travel-advice-by-country/middle-east-north-africa/israel-occupied/ |title=Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories travel advice|publisher=FCO|access-date=14 April 2010|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100328015025/http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and-living-abroad/travel-advice-by-country/middle-east-north-africa/israel-occupied/|archive-date=28 March 2010|url-status= live}}</ref> Israel had already used fake British passports to conduct an operation in 1987.
*{{flagicon|France}} France – [[François Fillon]], the French Prime Minister, said that though it remained unclear as to who was responsible, "France condemns assassination. Assassination is not a means of action in international relations."<ref name=Ynetupdate20>{{cite news|title=French PM condemns Dubai assassination of Hamas man|newspaper=Ynetnews|publisher=[[Ynet]]|date=20 February 2010|url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3851860,00.html|access-date=20 February 2010}}</ref> The Israeli chargé d'affaires in Paris was summoned on 18 February and the French Foreign Ministry issued a statement expressing, "deep concern about the malicious and fraudulent use of these French administrative documents."<ref name="Jpost0118" /> The French counterintelligence agency [[General Directorate for Internal Security|DCRI]] is believed to have protested to Mossad after finding it had used a Paris hotel as a base to stage the assassination.<ref>[http://www.lemonde.fr/international/article/2013/10/25/comment-paris-a-soupconne-la-nsa-d-avoir-pirate-l-elysee_3502761_3210.html Comment Paris a soupçonné la NSA d'avoir piraté l'Elysée (Le Monde, 25 October 2013)]</ref> According to a ''[[Le Monde]]'' report, France was concerned that Hamas would suspect French involvement in the assassination due to the operation having been run out of Paris and the use of forged French passports, and suspended intelligence sharing with Israel.<ref name=playground/>
*{{flagicon|Austria}} Austria – The spokesman for the Austrian Interior Ministry confirmed that Austria is investigating the use of Austrian mobile phones by the suspected killers.
*{{flagicon|Canada}} Canada – The Royal Canadian Mounted Police denied an accusation from the Police Chief of the Emirate of Dubai that made an arrest in the case.  A spokeswoman for the Canadian Security Intelligence Service said that because the probe was a foreign investigation it would be "inappropriate" to comment.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Cummins |first1=Chip |title=Dubai Pushes Canada on Arrest |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052702304510704575562111516515880?shareToken=st2cf383b39af24db5ba8ecae1af95a453 |access-date=7 March 2020|work=The Wall Street Journal |date=19 October 2010}}</ref>
*{{flagicon|Germany}} Germany – Germany confirmed that it is actively pursuing information on the identity of the killers of al-Mabhouh.<ref name=Gulf201020>{{cite news|url=http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/uae/crime/al-mabhouh-was-easy-target-for-assassins-says-dubai-police-chief-1.586084|title=Al Mabhouh was easy target for killers, says Dubai Police chief|newspaper=[[Gulf News]]|author=Siham Al Najami|date=20 February 2010|access-date=20 February 2010|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100222235735/http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/uae/crime/al-mabhouh-was-easy-target-for-assassins-says-dubai-police-chief-1.586084|archive-date=22 February 2010|url-status=live}}</ref> The German federal prosecutor's office in [[Karlsruhe]] began investigations about foreign spy activities in connection with the German passport used by one suspect in Dubai.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/150087/t/GCC-denounces-%E2%80%98terrorist%E2%80%99-killing-of-Hamas-chief/Default.aspx|title=Activities of the German federal prosecutor's office in Karlsruhe|newspaper=Arab Times online|access-date=14 April 2010}}</ref> The [[Federal Intelligence Service (Germany)|German Federal Intelligence Service]] told members of the [[Bundestag|German parliament]] that apparently the Mossad executed the operation in Dubai. According to ''[[Der Spiegel]]'', the Mossad operation could be considered as an affront to the Germans since the current head of German intelligence, [[Ernst Uhrlau]] has been acting at the behest of the Israeli government as a liaison between Jerusalem and Hamas. He sought the release of Israeli soldier [[Gilad Shalit]], who was abducted by Palestinian militants in 2006 in exchange for Palestinian prisoners held by the Israelis. Urhrlau was in Israel just a few days before 19 January. By then the Dubai operation was certainly under way.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/0,1518,680913,00.html |title=An Israeli Affront Against Germany |newspaper=Der Spiegel |date=1 March 2010|access-date=14 April 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100402064552/http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/0%2C1518%2C680913%2C00.html |archive-date=2 April 2010|url-status=live }}</ref>
*{{flagicon|Ireland}} Ireland – Investigations by Ireland's Department of Foreign Affairs Passport Service and by the [[Garda Síochána]] concluded that eight Irish passports were used in the assassination, and all were forgeries (but based on information from valid passports). Irish citizens whose information had been used were issued with new passports. Dubai Police had Interpol issue red notices (arrest warrants) for Jael Foliard, Kevien Daverone, Ivy Broton, Evan Denengz and Anna Shauna Clasby, all of whom entered Dubai on forged Irish passports. Ireland's Minister for Foreign Affairs [[Micheal Martin]] in a statement issued on 15 June 2010 said the Irish government had come to the "inescapable conclusion" that Israel was responsible for the forged passports used in the al-Mabhouh assassination, noting Israel did not assist in his country's investigations and did not deny involvement.{{citation needed|date=June 2020}}
*{{flagicon|Iran}} Iran – On 2 February, the Iranian foreign ministry blamed Israel for the incident, stating, "This is another indication of the existence of state terrorism by the Zionist regime".<ref name=zionist>{{cite news|title=Iran: Assassination was Zionist terror |url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3843019,00.html |agency=[[Reuters]] |newspaper=[[Ynetnews]] |date=2 February 2010|access-date=2 February 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100206012929/http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0%2C7340%2CL-3843019%2C00.html |archive-date=6 February 2010|url-status=live }}</ref>
*{{flagicon|Australia}} Australia – On 25 February, Prime Minister [[Kevin Rudd]], said that any country that so abused Australian passports held Australia in contempt, stating, "we will not let the matter lie."<ref name="SMH1" /> In a meeting with Israeli Ambassador [[Yuval Rotem]], Foreign Affairs Minister, [[Stephen Smith (Australian politician)|Stephen Smith]], made it "crystal clear" that if it was concluded that Israeli officials had condoned or sponsored the abuse of the Australian passports, "Australia would not regard that as the act of a friend".<ref>[http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/australian-passports-in-hamas-hit-duplicated-or-altered-stephen-smith-says/story-e6frg6n6-1225834232594 Australian passports in Hamas hit duplicated or altered, Stephen Smith says] ''[[The Sydney Herald]]'' 25 February 2010</ref> Soon after this occurred, Australia abstained on a UN motion to investigate alleged Israeli war crimes committed during the [[Gaza War (2008–09)|Gaza War]], a motion that Australia had previously opposed. In the Australian press there was widespread speculation that the move was retaliation for the passport affair, although this was denied by the Australian government.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.smh.com.au/world/australia-abandons-israel-in-un-vote-20100228-pb70.html|date=1 March 2010|newspaper=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]]|title=Australia abandons Israel in UN vote|first1=Jonathan|last1=Pearlman|first2=Jason|last2=Koutsoukis}}</ref> In response to the incident, Australia expelled a Mossad agent who had been working in the Israeli embassy in [[Canberra]] on 24 May 2010.<ref name="Expelled_diplomat">{{cite news|title=Expelled diplomat 'a Mossad agent'|url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/world/expelled-diplomat-a-mossad-agent/story-e6frg6so-1225870610926|access-date=16 February 2013|newspaper=The Australian|date=24 May 2010}}</ref> Foreign Minister Stephen Smith was quoted as saying that Australian passports had been misused by Israel on previous occasions, and the decision to expel the Mossad agent "was made much more in sorrow than in anger".<ref name=Expelled_diplomat /><ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/world/asia_pacific/10145459.stm|date=24 May 2010|work=BBC News|title=Australia expels Israeli diplomat over Dubai killing}}</ref>
*{{flagicon|Lebanon}} Lebanon – Key [[Hezbollah]] members became nervous after the killing in Dubai. Since foreign passports were seemingly used for the attack, Hezbollah asked the Lebanese government for additional screening of foreigners entering Lebanon.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.upi.com/Top_News/Special/2010/03/02/Hezbollah-claims-Israel-changed-rhetoric/UPI-40461267547537/|date=2 March 2010|work=United Press International|title=Hezbollah claims Israel changed rhetoric}}</ref>
*{{flagicon|Sweden}} Sweden – Foreign Minister [[Carl Bildt]] stated that "misuse of European passports is not to be tolerated".<ref name=Suspicion />
*{{flagicon|Luxembourg}} Luxembourg – Foreign Minister [[Jean Asselborn]] stated that "political assassinations have no place in the 21st century".<ref name=Suspicion>{{cite news|title=Mossad Under Suspicion: EU Demands Israeli Cooperation over Dubai Killing|url=http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/0,1518,679735,00.html|newspaper=[[Der Spiegel]]}}</ref>
*{{flagicon|Spain}} Spain – Spanish Foreign Minister [[Miguel Angel Moratinos]] stated that his country was "extremely concerned".<ref name=Suspicion />
*{{flagicon|Israel}} Israel – The Israeli government initially did not comment on claims that it was involved in al-Mabhouh's death.<ref name=zionist /> On 17 February, Foreign Minister [[Avigdor Lieberman]] refused to confirm or deny any Israeli involvement, and noted a lack of solid evidence for Israeli involvement.<ref>{{cite news|title=Israel says no proof it carried out Hamas Dubai killing |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/8520247.stm|work=BBC News|date=17 February 2010|access-date=17 February 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100218025701/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/8520247.stm|archive-date=18 February 2010|url-status=live}}</ref> On 24 February, ''[[The Jerusalem Post]]'' quoted the Israeli Opposition leader [[Tzipi Livni]] as saying, "Every terrorist must know that no one will support him when a soldier, and it doesn't matter what soldier, tries to kill him."<ref>{{cite web|last=Hoffman|first=Gil|url=http://www.jpost.com/Israel/Article.aspx?id=169492|title=Livni: Int'l community must back Dubai hit |newspaper=The Jerusalem Post|access-date=14 April 2010}}</ref> Israeli media and public opinion has generally accepted Mossad's responsibility for the operation.<ref name="John">{{cite news|url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/nation/locals-accept-dubai-assassination-was-mossad-operation/story-e6frg6nf-1225834934957|title=Locals accept Dubai assassination was Mossad operation|newspaper=[[The Australian]] |first=Lyons|last=John|date=27 February 2010}}</ref> Due to [[Censorship in Israel|Israel's military censorship laws]] the Israeli media at first were careful to use the phrase "according to foreign media reports" to avoid directly accusing Mossad, however the phrase was abandoned and Mossad's culpability was openly assumed after the first week of the scandal.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/world/my-life-as-a-very-secret-agent-for-mossad/story-e6frg6so-1225832337774|title=My life as a very secret agent for Mossad|newspaper=[[The Australian]]|first=Lyons|last=John|date=20 February 2010}}</ref> Opinions of the Israeli media were divided between approving of the success of al-Mabhouh's killing and disapproving the sloppiness of the operation and the resultant exposure and media scandal. ''[[Haaretz]]''{{'}}s Amir Oren called Dagan to be fired due to what he considered a sloppy job,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2010/02/201021875613810292.html|publisher=[[Al Jazeera]]|date=18 February 2010|title=Israel pressured over Mabhouh death}}</ref> while the newspaper's [[Yossi Melman]] predicted Israel would emerge from the incident "unblemished".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1150394.html|title=Israel has nothing to worry about over Dubai killing|newspaper=Haaretz|access-date=14 April 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100413204204/http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1150394.html|archive-date=13 April 2010|url-status=live}}</ref> After the United Kingdom expelled an Israeli diplomat over the use of British passports, Israeli right wing politicians commented against Britain's "disloyal" action. [[Knesset]] member [[Michael Ben-Ari]] stated that "This is anti-Semitism disguised as anti-Zionism". Israeli politician [[Aryeh Eldad]] stated that "Britain's behavior is hypocritical. Who are they to judge us in the war on terror?" Other than non-official comments made by right wing politicians, Israel has not officially responded.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article7073250.ece |access-date=12 April 2010}}{{dead link|date=May 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>
*{{flagicon|United States}} United States – On 28 December 2010, secret cables leaked by [[WikiLeaks]] showed that Dubai considered keeping the assassination secret, and asked the United States to help track down information on credit card numbers suspected of having been used by the assassins.<ref>{{cite journal|url=http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/uae-considered-keeping-mabhouh-hit-under-wraps-wikileaks-cables-reveal-1.333793|title=UAE considered keeping Mabhouh hit under wraps, WikiLeaks cables reveal|newspaper=Haaretz|date=28 December 2010|access-date=17 November 2012}}</ref> The United States did not cooperate with the investigation.<ref>{{cite journal|last=Pfeffer|first=Anshel|url=http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/u-s-declined-to-cooperate-in-dubai-probe-of-mabhouh-killing-wikileaks-shows-1.333608|title=U.S. declined to cooperate in Dubai probe of Mabhouh killing, WikiLeaks shows|newspaper=Haaretz|date=28 December 2010|access-date=17 November 2012}}</ref>

===Palestinian===
The day following al-Mabhouh's death, Hamas' armed wing, the [[Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades|Al-Qassam Brigades]], announced that he died of terminal cancer in a hospital in the United Arab Emirates.<ref>[http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=255640 Hamas brigades founder dies in exile], Ma'an News Agency 20 January 2010</ref>

On 29 January, Hamas' deputy politburo chief [[Mousa Mohammed Abu Marzook|Moussa Abu Marzouk]] said, "Mossad agents are those who assassinated al-Mabhouh".<ref>[http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3841367,00.html Abu Marzouk: Mossad behind Hamas official's assassination], Ynet News 29 January 2010</ref> Top Hamas official [[Mahmoud al-Zahar]] speculated that same day that it was possible that members of the entourage of Israeli infrastructure minister [[Uzi Landau]], who were in the United Arab Emirates at the time for a renewable energy conference, were involved in his killing.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1146208.html|author=Jack Khoury|work=[[Haaretz]]|title=Report: Dubai has lead in assassination of top Hamas man|date=30 January 2010}}</ref><ref name=Haaretz20100131>{{cite news |first=Yossi |last=Melman |title=Dubai narrows down seven suspects in murder of Hamas official |url=http://haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1146385.html |work=[[Haaretz]] |date=31 January 2010|access-date=31 January 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100203052057/http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1146385.html |archive-date=3 February 2010|url-status=dead  }}</ref> Landau dismissed the claim, stating that his delegation was in [[Abu Dhabi]], some 120&nbsp;km from Dubai, and was escorted by an eight-man UAE security team at all times.<ref>{{cite news |first=Yossi |last=Melman |author2=Ravid, Barak |title=Dubai police: Seven Europeans linked to assassination of senior Hamas militant |url=http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1146622.html |work=[[Haaretz]] |date=1 February 2010|access-date=1 February 2010| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100204200603/http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1146622.html| archive-date= 4 February 2010| url-status= live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Landau denies links to Hamas terrorist's death |url=http://www.jpost.com/Israel/Article.aspx?id=167435 |work=[[The Jerusalem Post]] |date=31 January 2010|access-date=31 January 2010| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100212145104/http://www.jpost.com/Israel/Article.aspx?id=167435| archive-date= 12 February 2010| url-status= live}}</ref>

On 2 February, Hamas' representative in Lebanon [[Osama Hamdan]] said that Palestinian Authority security forces might have been involved in the death, stating that, "The Palestinian Authority security forces are pursuing [our] fighters and they have killed dozens of them since 1994."<ref>[http://www.jpost.com/Headlines/Article.aspx?id=167578 Hamas rep in Lebanon suggests PA helped assassinate Mabhouh], Jerusalem Post 2 February 2010</ref> ''[[Haaretz]]'' reported that details from a preliminary Hamas investigation procured by the newspaper suggested that al-Mabhouh was assassinated by agents of an Arab government, and that al-Mabhouh was wanted by Egypt and Jordan.<ref>{{cite news |first=Avi |last=Issacharoff |title=Hamas: Dubai assassins were likely Arabs, not Israelis |url=http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1146944.html |work=[[Haaretz]] |date=2 February 2010|access-date=2 February 2010| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100204211216/http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1146944.html| archive-date= 4 February 2010| url-status= live}}</ref> On 12 February, senior Hamas leader [[Khaled Mashal|Khaled Mashaal]] rejected reports that Hamas blamed Arab states for al-Mabhouh's death, and said the Israeli Mossad was solely responsible.<ref>[]http://www.jpost.com/MiddleEast/Article.aspx?id=168546 'Next war with Israel will be regional'], Jerusalem Post 12 February 2010</ref>

On 19 February, Hamas representatives said that the two Palestinians arrested in Dubai, Ahmad Hassanain and Anwar Shheibar, are former members of Fatah's security forces and work at a construction company in Dubai owned by [[Mohammed Dahlan]], a senior Fatah security official. A senior Hamas official told ''[[Al-Hayat]]'' newspaper that the two provided logistical aid to the Mossad hit team alleged to have carried out the murder, renting them cars and hotel rooms.  The two were linked to a Gaza death cell under Dahlan's command, which worked to suppress dissidence among Palestinians.<ref>{{cite web | first=Ramzy Baroud | title=The Fatah showdown: Mahmoud Abbas vs. Mohammad Dahlan |website=Al Arabiya English | date=2014-03-27 | url=https://english.alarabiya.net/views/news/middle-east/2014/03/27/The-showdown-Mahmoud-Abbas-vs-Mohammad-Dahlan- | access-date=2021-12-30}}</ref> Dahlan and Fatah denied the charges.<ref name=AP201019>{{cite news|url=http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1151029.html|title=Hamas: Palestinians linked to Dubai hit employed by Fatah strongman Dahlan|work=[[Haaretz]]|agency=Associated Press|date=19 February 2010|access-date=19 February 2010| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100328222709/http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1151029.html| archive-date= 28 March 2010| url-status= live}}</ref>

===European Union===
EU foreign ministers "strongly condemned" the use of forged European passports in the killing.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/8528427.stm |title=EU condemns passport use in Dubai killing |work=BBC News |date=22 February 2010|access-date=14 April 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_data/docs/pressdata/EN/foraff/112964.pdf |title=Foreign Affairs |publisher=Consilium |access-date=17 November 2012}}</ref>

===United Nations===
[[Philip Alston]], the UN special rapporteur on [[extrajudicial killing]]s was quoted by the ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'' as stating, "If a foreign intelligence agency was responsible for the killing of al-Mabhouh, the matter should clearly be classified as an extrajudicial execution. There is no legal justification for the cold-blooded murder of a man who, if alleged to have committed crimes, could have been arrested and charged."<ref>{{cite news|title=Targeted for death |url=http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/la-oe-miller-web21-2010feb21,0,6251268.story |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date=21 February 2010|access-date=21 February 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100223074642/http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/la-oe-miller-web21-2010feb21%2C0%2C6251268.story |archive-date=23 February 2010|url-status=live }}</ref>

==In popular culture==
A 2010 Hebrew language novel titled ''Dubai'' and written by Yomi 'Eyni is set around the assassination. A 2013 spy [[action comedy]] film titled ''[[Kidon (film)|Kidon]]'' also revolves around the assassination.  The 2015 Israeli TV series ''[[False Flag (TV series)|False Flag]]'' is also loosely based on the story of the assassination.

==See also==

* [[2004 Israel–New Zealand passport scandal]], arising from an attempt by Mossad operatives to get false passports from New Zealand in the name of a disabled man
* [[Israel–United Arab Emirates relations]]
* [[Lillehammer affair]], the killing of a Moroccan waiter in Norway mistaken by Mossad for one of the [[Black September]] operatives who killed Israeli athletes at the 1972 Munich Olympics
* [[List of unsolved murders (21st century)|List of unsolved murders]]

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

==External links==
* Video released by the Dubai Police documenting the assassination: {{YouTube|JghQ0ZcRfQs|Part 1}} {{YouTube|K8XDhnEJ-N0|Part 2}} {{YouTube|RWxjxTaWytE|Part 3}}
* [https://www.gq.com/news-politics/big-issues/201101/the-dubai-job-mossad-assassination-hamas ''The Dubai Job'' by Ronen Bergman]
* [http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Middle-East/2010/0319/Dubai-assassination-spotlights-top-cop-skills-in-a-modern-day-Casablanca ''Dubai assassination spotlights top cop skills in a modern-day Casablanca'' By Danna Harman]
* [http://www.stratfor.com/weekly/20100303_using_intelligence_almabhouh_hit ''Using Intelligence from the al-Mabhouh Hit'' By Fred Burton and Ben West]
* [http://www.thenational.ae/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100217/NATIONAL/702169818&SearchID=73382065485143 Chronology of the killing team] from ''[[The National (Abu Dhabi)|The National]]''
* Travel movements of suspects in [https://web.archive.org/web/20100331232449/http://www.thenational.ae/assets/pdf/AD53407224.PDF 2009], [https://web.archive.org/web/20100331115558/http://www.thenational.ae/assets/pdf/AD53408224.PDF 2010], and a [https://www.theguardian.com/news/datablog/2010/feb/25/dubai-mabhouh-murder-suspects-flights summary]
* [http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/meast/02/24/uae.murder.plot/index.html Passport pictures of the suspects] [https://web.archive.org/web/20100331001729/http://go.ynet.co.il/pic/news/24.02.2010/Doc2%20%283%29.doc Passport pictures with details]
* How the suspects are connected [https://web.archive.org/web/20101116085805/http://gulfnews.com/polopoly_fs/1.588332!menu/standard/file/suspects.pdf 2010]
{{Israeli-Palestinian Conflict}}

{{coord missing|United Arab Emirates}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Al-Mabhouh, Mahmoud}}
[[Category:2010 crimes in the United Arab Emirates]]
[[Category:2010 murders in Asia]]
[[Category:2010s in Dubai]]
[[Category:Assassinations in the United Arab Emirates|Al-Mabhouh, Assassination of]]
[[Category:Hamas]]
[[Category:Israel–United Arab Emirates relations]]
[[Category:January 2010 events in Asia]]
[[Category:State of Palestine–United Arab Emirates relations]]
[[Category:Targeted killing]]
[[Category:Unsolved murders in Asia]]