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

Israel’s navy stated Tuesday that it had “carried out a exact strike focusing on the senior management of the Hamas terrorist group,” amid experiences of huge explosions in Qatar’s capital metropolis, Doha. 

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

The Israel Protection Forces didn’t affirm the placement of the strikes in its assertion, however stated it focused leaders of Hamas who, within the IDF’s phrases, had for years “led the terrorist group’s operations, are immediately chargeable for the brutal October 7 bloodbath, and have been orchestrating and managing the struggle 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 stated was referred to as “Summit of Fireplace.”

The Al-Jazeera tv community stated an ongoing assembly of Hamas leaders in Doha was struck, as they gathered to debate a current U.S. ceasefire proposal to finish the struggle 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 stated in a press release that 5 of its members have been killed, however that Israel failed “to assassinate the brothers within the negotiating delegation.” It additionally stated a member of Qatari Inner 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 stated within the assertion. “We maintain the American administration collectively accountable with the occupation for this crime, resulting from its steady assist for the aggression and the occupation’s crimes in opposition to our individuals.” 

Witnesses instructed the Reuters information company that plumes of black smoke have been seen billowing from a fuel station, subsequent to which there’s a small, residential compound that they stated has been beneath 24-hour guard for the reason that begin of the struggle in Gaza.

“Previous to the strike, measures have been taken with a view to mitigate hurt to civilians, together with using exact munitions and extra intelligence,” the IDF stated.

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 an entirely unbiased Israeli operation. Israel initiated it, Israel carried out it, and Israel takes full duty.”

White Home Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated the Trump administration was notified by the U.S. navy of the strikes. A White Home official instructed CBS Information that Israel notified the U.S. simply earlier than the strikes occurred. Two different U.S. officers instructed CBS Information the U.S. didn’t coordinate with Israel on planning the strikes.

A senior U.S. intelligence official instructed CBS Information that the U.S. instructed Qatar in regards to the strike after being knowledgeable about it by Israel.

Qatar’s Overseas Ministry spokesperson stated in a publish 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 have been being heard.

Netanyahu and Israeli Protection Minister Israel Katz revealed 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 stated.

International locations 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 way of which it has carried out most of its diplomacy for the reason that struggle in Gaza was sparked by the group’s Oct. 7, 2023, terrorist assault on Israel.

Qatar is a detailed ally of the US and in addition hosts the biggest U.S. navy 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 legal 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 Overseas Affairs, stated within the assertion. “Qatar reiterates its agency stance that it’ll not tolerate this reckless Israeli habits and continued destabilization of regional safety, nor any act that targets its sovereignty and security. Investigations are being carried out on the highest stage, and additional particulars will probably be introduced as quickly as they grow to be obtainable.”

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

The group that represents the households of the hostages taken throughout the Oct. 7 Hamas assault stated in a press release Tuesday that the households have been “following the developments in Doha with deep concern and heavy nervousness. A grave worry now hangs over the value that the hostages could pay.”

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

“The time has come to finish the struggle,” the group stated.