Israel assaults Hamas leaders in Doha, drawing condemnation from Qatar over “cowardly strike”

Israel’s army mentioned Tuesday that it had “performed a exact strike concentrating on the senior management of the Hamas terrorist group,” amid studies of enormous explosions in Qatar’s capital metropolis, Doha. 

Qatar’s authorities rapidly issued condemnation of what it referred to as a “cowardly Israeli strike,” which it mentioned had violated worldwide legislation.

The Israel Protection Forces didn’t verify the placement of the strikes in its assertion, however mentioned it focused leaders of Hamas who, within the IDF’s phrases, had for years “led the terrorist group’s operations, are straight chargeable for the brutal October 7 bloodbath, and have been orchestrating and managing the warfare in opposition to the State of Israel.”

The IDF subsequently confirmed to CBS Information that its authentic assertion referred to an operation carried out Tuesday in Doha, which it mentioned was referred to as “Summit of Fireplace.”

The Al-Jazeera tv community mentioned an ongoing assembly of Hamas leaders in Doha was struck, as they gathered to debate a current U.S. ceasefire proposal to finish the warfare within the Gaza Strip.

Hamas condemned the strike, calling it “a heinous crime, a blatant aggression, and a flagrant violation of all worldwide norms and legal guidelines.”

Hamas mentioned in a press release that 5 of its members had been killed, however that Israel failed “to assassinate the brothers within the negotiating delegation.” It additionally mentioned a member of Qatari Inside Safety was killed.

“Focusing on the negotiating delegation, at a second when it was discussing the most recent proposal of American President Donald Trump, unequivocally confirms that Netanyahu and his authorities don’t want to attain any settlement,” Hamas mentioned within the assertion. “We maintain the American administration collectively accountable with the occupation for this crime, attributable to its steady help for the aggression and the occupation’s crimes in opposition to our individuals.” 

Witnesses advised the Reuters information company that plumes of black smoke had been seen billowing from a fuel station, subsequent to which there’s a small, residential compound that they mentioned has been below 24-hour guard for the reason that begin of the warfare in Gaza.

“Previous to the strike, measures had been taken in an effort to mitigate hurt to civilians, together with the usage of exact munitions and extra intelligence,” the IDF mentioned.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s workplace launched a press release Tuesday saying the “motion in opposition to the highest terrorist chieftains of Hamas was a completely unbiased Israeli operation. Israel initiated it, Israel performed it, and Israel takes full accountability.”

White Home press secretary Karoline Leavitt mentioned the Trump administration was notified by the U.S. army of the strikes. A senior U.S. official and a diplomatic supply accustomed to the strikes advised CBS Information that Israel notified the U.S. of the assault because it was about to occur. Two different U.S. officers advised CBS Information the U.S. didn’t coordinate with Israel on planning the strikes.

A senior U.S. intelligence official advised CBS Information that the U.S. advised Qatar in regards to the strike moments earlier than the bombing.

President Trump later wrote on social media, “This was a call made by Prime Minister Netanyahu, it was not a call made by me. Unilaterally bombing inside Qatar, a Sovereign Nation and shut Ally of the US, that’s working very arduous and bravely taking dangers with us to dealer Peace, doesn’t advance Israel or America’s objectives. Nevertheless, eliminating Hamas, who’ve profited off the distress of these dwelling in Gaza, is a worthy aim.”

Qatar’s International Ministry spokesperson mentioned in a submit on X that claims that Qatar was knowledgeable upfront in regards to the assault are false, and {that a} name from an American official got here when explosions from the Israeli assault had been being heard.

Mr. Trump in his Fact Social submit mentioned he advised particular envoy Steve Witkoff, who has been a key participant within the negotiations, to warn the Qataris of the assault, however that the warning got here too late for them to cease it. He additionally mentioned he assured the Emir of Qatar and the Qatari prime minister such an assault “wouldn’t occur once more on their soil.”

“I additionally spoke to Prime Minister Netanyahu after the assault,” Mr. Trump wrote. “The Prime Minister advised me that he needs to make Peace. I imagine this unlucky incident may function a possibility for PEACE.”

Netanyahu and Israeli Protection Minister Israel Katz printed a joint assertion saying, “this afternoon, in gentle of an operational alternative, and in session with all heads of the protection institution and with full backing, the Prime Minister and the Protection Minister determined to implement the instruction given final evening to the IDF and the Shin Guess, which did so in a exact and optimum method.”

“The Prime Minister and the Protection Minister believed that the motion was fully justified in gentle of the truth that this Hamas management was the one who initiated and arranged the October 7 bloodbath, and has not stopped launching murderous actions in opposition to the State of Israel and its residents since then,” the joint assertion mentioned.

Netanyahu additionally famous, “Israel acted wholly independently — wholly independently — and we take full accountability for the assaults.”

Nations together with the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Turkey launched statements condemning the strikes in Doha.

Hamas, lengthy designated a terrorist group by Israel, the U.S. and the European Union, has maintained a main political workplace in Doha for years, by means of which it has performed most of its diplomacy for the reason that warfare in Gaza was sparked by the group’s Oct. 7, 2023, terrorist assault on Israel.

Qatar is an in depth ally of the US and likewise hosts the most important U.S. army base within the Center East, Al-Udeid Air Base. It has additionally been one of many mediators, alongside the U.S. and Egypt, of the ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas.

The Qatari authorities condemned what it referred to as a “cowardly Israeli assault that focused residential compounds housing a number of members of Hamas’ political bureau within the Qatari capital, Doha.”

“This prison act constitutes a blatant violation of all worldwide legal guidelines and norms and poses a severe menace to the safety and security of Qatari residents and residents,” Dr. Majed Al Ansari, spokesperson for Qatar’s Ministry of International Affairs, mentioned within the assertion. “Qatar reiterates its agency stance that it’s going to not tolerate this reckless Israeli conduct and continued destabilization of regional safety, nor any act that targets its sovereignty and security. Investigations are being performed on the highest stage, and additional particulars can be introduced as quickly as they turn out to be obtainable.”

In a submit on social media, the U.S. Embassy in Doha mentioned it was conscious of “studies of missile strikes occurring in Doha,” and it introduced a shelter-in-place order for embassy amenities that was later lifted.

The group that represents the households of the hostages taken through the Oct. 7 Hamas assault mentioned in a press release Tuesday that the households had been “following the developments in Doha with deep concern and heavy anxiousness. A grave worry now hangs over the value that the hostages might pay.”

The group demanded a plan from the Israeli authorities to return all 48 hostages to Israel. Netanyahu has mentioned 20 of these captives are nonetheless believed to be alive.

“The time has come to finish the warfare,” the group mentioned.