In a bold military action, Israel has targeted the senior leadership of Hamas in Doha, Qatar's capital. A Hamas official revealed that the strike occurred during a vital meeting involving members of the Palestinian group's negotiating team. Although the casualty figures remain unclear, images from the incident show significant damage in the northern Katara district.
The Israeli military has accused these Hamas leaders of being directly responsible for initiating the latest round of conflict following the October 7, 2023 attack on Israel. Qatar’s government has responded with strong condemnation, labeling the strike a cowardly attack and asserting that it targeted residential buildings housing senior members of Hamas.
A statement from Qatar's foreign ministry criticized the assault as a violation of international laws and a threat to the safety of both Qatari citizens and foreign residents. The Gulf state has been a crucial ally of the US in the region and has hosted Hamas's political bureau since 2012, acting as a mediator in conflicts between Hamas and Israel.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres condemned the strike, calling it a flagrant violation of Qatar's sovereignty. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office defended the action as a necessary response against what they deem top terrorists of Hamas. They asserted that Israel accepts full responsibility for the operation and referred to it as an independent initiative.
Among those reported to be targeted were Khalil al-Hayya, a key figure in Hamas, and Zaher Jabarin, another influential leader. Discussions surrounding the potential outcomes of the strike continued, with Israeli officials indicating a consensus within Israeli political and security frameworks.
This incident adds another layer to the ongoing conflict in the region, which has already led to high casualties in Gaza after Israeli military responses to Hamas-led assaults. Reports indicate that Israeli actions have resulted in over 64,000 fatalities in Gaza since the recent conflict escalation began.