Israel Accused of Targeted Strike on Hamas Leaders in Qatar’s Capital, Doha

In a dramatic escalation of regional tensions, Israel has claimed responsibility for a targeted attack in Doha, the capital of Qatar, aimed at top Hamas leaders involved in ongoing ceasefire negotiations. The unprecedented strike marks the first Israeli military action on Qatari soil, a move that has sent shockwaves across the Middle East and raised serious concerns about regional stability. According to the Israeli military and Shin Bet intelligence service, the operation targeted senior Hamas figures allegedly responsible for orchestrating the October 7, 2023, attacks in southern Israel. The Israeli government stated it used precision weapons to minimize civilian casualties and called the operation a “wholly independent Israeli action.” “This was an operation initiated and executed by Israel. We take full responsibility,” said a statement from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office. Sources close to Hamas told Al Jazeera the strike targeted the Hamas negotiating team currently based in Doha, who were in the middle of deliberations over a new ceasefire proposal backed by the United States. The attack took place in a residential neighborhood of Doha, near several foreign embassies. Residents reported loud explosions that reverberated across the city, shaking the image of Qatar as one of the region’s most secure and neutral states. Qatar, a key mediator in the Israel-Hamas conflict and host to the largest U.S. military base in the Middle East (Al Udeid Air Base), strongly condemned the strike. In a statement, Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs called the attack a “criminal act” and “a flagrant violation of international law.” “This reckless Israeli behavior poses a serious threat to Qatar’s security and sovereignty,” said ministry spokesperson Majed al-Ansari. “Qatar will not tolerate such actions, and a full investigation is already underway.” The United Nations also condemned the strike. Secretary-General António Guterres warned that such actions threaten the delicate progress made toward a potential ceasefire in Gaza. “All parties must focus on achieving peace, not destroying diplomatic channels,” Guterres said, highlighting Qatar’s pivotal role in negotiations. The strike in Doha comes just weeks after Israel’s top military chief, Eyal Zamir, vowed to track and eliminate Hamas leaders “wherever they are in the world.” Previous assassinations have reportedly taken place in Iran, Lebanon, and Syria. Analysts warn that this latest incident may further isolate Israel diplomatically. Marwan Bishara, Al Jazeera’s senior political analyst, called the attack “gangster-like” and a “direct hit on diplomacy.” “This is not how a responsible state behaves. This is Mafia behavior,” Bishara said. So far, the White House has not issued an official response. Former President Donald Trump recently stated that Israel had accepted his ceasefire terms and called on Hamas to do the same. As investigations continue, the world watches closely to see how Qatar and other key players respond to this dramatic shift in the region’s conflict landscape.

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