Multiple explosions rocked Qatar’s capital Doha on Tuesday afternoon, with Israeli officials confirming they carried out a strike targeting Hamas leadership in the Gulf nation.
The Israeli military stated that explosions seen and heard in the Qatari capital were the result of an assassination attempt against members of Hamas leadership and senior officials of the Palestinian group. This marks what would be the first known Israeli strike against the militant group in the Gulf nation.
According to Hamas sources, the attack specifically targeted the group’s negotiating team, which had been meeting in Doha to consider the latest ceasefire proposal put forth by the United States. Reports indicate that senior members of the Palestinian group were gathered to discuss the latest US ceasefire proposal.
The explosions occurred in a residential neighborhood near several embassy locations, prompting immediate security responses from Qatari authorities. Al Jazeera correspondent Suhaib al-Assa reported that the targeted site was located in a populated residential area rather than an isolated location.
Qatar’s Foreign Ministry condemned the attack in strong terms, with a spokesperson describing it as “a criminal attack that constitutes a flagrant violation of all international laws and norms and a serious threat to the security and safety of Qataris and residents of Qatar.”
Security officials indicated that their immediate priority was securing the scene and assessing damage and casualties. Al-Assa noted that security procedures were complex given the extremely sensitive nature of the targeted site.
Israeli media reports suggested that Khalil al-Hayya, a leader of Hamas, was among the targets of the operation.
The strike represents a significant escalation in Israel’s campaign against Hamas, extending operations beyond Gaza and the immediate region to target the group’s political leadership in Qatar, where many senior Hamas officials have been based while participating in ceasefire negotiations.
The timing of the attack is particularly significant as it occurred while Hamas negotiators were actively considering peace proposals, potentially complicating ongoing diplomatic efforts to end the conflict in Gaza.
As of the time of reporting, full details regarding the extent of damage or casualties from the explosions had not been confirmed by authorities.
