Israel launched unprecedented airstrikes on Qatar, claiming to hit Hamas’ senior leadership. Videos showed “huge billows of smoke” over Doha as people ran for cover. The IDF and Shin Bet said they “conducted a precise strike targeting the senior leadership” of Hamas, while trying to “mitigate harm to civilians.”
Qatar condemned the attack as “cowardly” and a “flagrant violation to all international law.” Iran also called it a “gross violation of all international rules and regulations.”
Israeli officials said the strikes targeted figures like Gaza chief Khalil al-Hayya. Qatar reported that residential homes of Hamas officials were hit. A Hamas source claimed the attack occurred during a meeting about Donald Trump’s ceasefire proposals but insisted “all attendees survived.”
Foreign outlets, however, suggested that Khalil al-Hayya and political leader Khaled Mashal may have been killed. These conflicting reports fueled further uncertainty.
An Israeli official told Reuters that the U.S. was informed beforehand. The attack heightens regional tension, especially since America’s largest Middle East base, Al Udeid, is located in Qatar.
