Israel launched an airstrike on Hamas leaders in Qatar on Tuesday, widening its military campaign across the Middle East to include the Gulf state where Hamas has long maintained a political base.
Qatar, which has acted as a mediator alongside Egypt in ceasefire talks during the nearly two-year Gaza war, condemned the strike as “cowardly” and a violation of international law.
Two Hamas sources told Reuters that members of the group’s ceasefire negotiating team survived the attack. Israeli officials said the strike targeted senior Hamas leaders, including Khalil al-Hayya, the group’s exiled Gaza chief and top negotiator.
The strike came a day after Hamas’ armed wing, the al-Qassam Brigades, claimed responsibility for a shooting at a Jerusalem bus stop that killed six people. Analysts warned the assault could severely damage ongoing ceasefire negotiations in Doha.
Regional backlash was swift. The United Arab Emirates, which normalized ties with Israel in 2020 under the Abraham Accords, condemned the attack as “blatant and cowardly.” Saudi Arabia denounced what it called “brutal Israeli aggression” against Qatar’s sovereignty.
Gaza Offensive Intensifies
Meanwhile, Israel ordered mass evacuations in Gaza City, sparking panic as it prepared a major assault aimed at eliminating Hamas. Residents said they felt trapped with no safe refuge, while displaced cancer patients in tent shelters voiced desperation.
Explosions were also reported in Doha, with smoke rising from a petrol station in the Legtifya district. Ambulances, police, and unmarked government vehicles surrounded the area after the blast.
Israel has killed several top Hamas commanders since the conflict began in October 2023, when Hamas attacked Israel, killing 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages.
Beyond Gaza, Israel has expanded its operations to Lebanon, Syria, Iran, and Yemen, striking Hezbollah and the Iran-aligned Houthis, both of which have targeted Israel during the ongoing conflict.
