DOHA: Israel launched an attack on the Hamas leadership in Qatar’s Doha on Tuesday, the Israeli military confirmed.
An Israeli official confirmed to Reuters that Israel had carried out an attack on Hamas leaders in Qatar.
Qatar’s Al Jazeera television, citing a Hamas source, said the attack targeted Hamas Gaza ceasefire negotiators.
Plumes of black smoke were billowing from the city’s Legtifya petrol station. Right next door to the petrol station is a small residential compound that has been guarded by Qatar’s emiri guard 24 hours a day since the beginning of the Gaza conflict.
Israeli media, citing a senior official, said the attack was aimed at top Hamas leaders, including Khalil al-Hayya, its exiled Gaza chief and top negotiator.
Preliminary information obtained by Al Arabiya also indicated that Khalil al-Hayya was killed in a strike.
Qatar, which has been mediating between Hamas and Israel, condemned the “cowardly” Israeli attack on Hamas officials and called it a flagrant violation of international law.
Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesperson Majed al-Ansari said that the attack poses a serious threat to the security and safety of Qataris and residents in Qatar.
“The Ministry affirms that the security forces, civil defense, and relevant authorities immediately began addressing the incident and taking necessary measures to contain its repercussions and ensure the safety of the residents and surrounding areas,” the spokesperson said in a statement on X.
While the State of Qatar strongly condemns this assault, it confirms that it will not tolerate this reckless Israeli behavior and the ongoing disruption of regional security, nor any act that targets its security and sovereignty, he added.
“Investigations are underway at the highest level, and further details will be announced as soon as they are available.”
