Washington: Israel launched strikes targeting the leadership of Hamas in Qatar on Tuesday, stepping up its campaign against the listed terrorist group at a sensitive moment in ongoing negotiations over a ceasefire and the release of hostages.
Black smoke rose over the skyline of the Qatari capital, Doha, with authorities there acknowledging the strike. It was not immediately clear if anyone was hurt in the attack.
Black smoke rose over the skyline of Doha following the targeted strike. Credit: Youtube/Al Jazeera
Israel immediately confirmed it conducted the strikes. “Today’s action against the top terrorist chieftains of Hamas was a wholly independent Israeli operation,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said. “Israel initiated it, Israel conducted it, and Israel takes full responsibility.”
The Israel Defence Force said it and the Israel Security Agency conducted a precise strike aimed at killing the senior leaders of Hamas, and said they would continue to “operate with determination” to defeat the group responsible for the October 7, 2023 attacks on Israel.
“Prior to the strike, measures were taken in order to mitigate harm to civilians, including the use of precise munitions and additional intelligence,” the IDF said.
Hamas’ political leadership has operated openly in Qatar since 2012. A furious Qatari government condemned what it called a “cowardly Israeli attack” and said a “criminal assault constitutes a blatant violation of all international laws and norms”.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Majed al-Ansari said the Israeli strikes targeted residential buildings in Doha where members of Hamas’ political bureau lived.
“While the State of Qatar strongly condemns this assault, it confirms that it will not tolerate this reckless Israeli behaviour and the ongoing disruption of regional security, nor any act that targets its security and sovereignty,” he said.
The strikes came after the US made a new proposal to Hamas to release the final hostages it captured on October 7, 2023, believed to be 48 people, with 20 still alive. President Donald Trump said on Monday (AEST) that Israel had accepted his terms and it was time for Hamas to do the same.
