A building housing Hamas's political headquarters in Doha was severely damaged following an Israeli attack on Tuesday in the Qatari capital, in a bold military operation that expanded Israel's actions to the Arabian Gulf state where the Palestinian terrorist group has maintained its political operations base for years.
Images from the scene of the attack show severe damage to the building, which housed Hamas officials when Israel launched the attack, specifically targeting the terror group's leaders, including Khalil al-Hayya, the group's exiled Gaza chief and chief negotiator.
Black smoke billowed over the Qatari capital's skyline as officials confirmed the attack, marking the second time the energy-rich nation has been directly targeted in the nearly two years of war that have rocked the Middle East since Hamas's October 7 assault on southern Israel.
Two Hamas sources confirmed to Reuters that the ceasefire negotiating team members survived the attack, although it was not immediately clear whether anyone was injured in the military action.
Qatar condemned what it described as a “cowardly Israeli attack” on Hamas’s political headquarters in Doha. Foreign Ministry spokesman Majed al-Ansari called it a “flagrant violation of all international laws and norms.”
“Qatar confirms that it will not tolerate this reckless Israeli behavior and the continued disruption of regional security, nor any act that threatens its security and sovereignty,” al-Ansari added.
The attack occurred as Hamas leaders were discussing a U.S. proposal for a cease-fire in Gaza, risking derailing negotiations aimed at ending the war and freeing Israeli hostages. An Egyptian official, who has also been mediating a potential cease-fire, said the strike came as Hamas officials were scheduled to meet about the talks at the targeted site.
It was not immediately clear how the attack was carried out, although Israeli military spokesman Col. Avichay Adraee said the Israeli air force carried out the strike. The Israelis said they used “precise munitions and additional intelligence” in the attack, without elaborating.
Qatar Airways planes continued to land in Doha during the attack, while at least one Qatari air force aircraft took off on patrol over the country.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed that it was his nation's decision to carry out the attack."Israel initiated it, Israel conducted it, and Israel bears full responsibility," Netanyahu said in a statement.
The U.S. Embassy in Qatar announced that it had “instituted a shelter-in-place order for its facilities” and advised U.S. citizens to “shelter in place.”
The attack marks a shocking extension of Israel's campaign against the terrorist group and calls into question whether negotiations will continue immediately. Qatar has served as a key mediator in efforts to end the conflict.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres condemned the attack, saying that “all parties must work to achieve a permanent ceasefire, not destroy it.”
