The Houthis fired a missile towards Israel in retaliation for the Israeli airstrike on a building in Doha, the capital of Qatar, resulting in the deaths of at least five Hamas members.
A representative from the Israeli military stated that the country’s defense systems were active in intercepting the retaliatory missile launched from Yemen. This response followed an Israeli airstrike on Hamas members who were gathering in Doha to discuss a peace proposal by Donald Trump aimed at resolving the Gaza conflict.
Doha has been a significant location for peace negotiations regarding Gaza, where Hamas leaders have previously felt secure to engage in diplomatic talks. Qatar strongly condemned Israel for the airstrike, labeling it a “criminal attack.”
Explosions shook Doha, with smoke filling the air and at least five blasts heard. Despite this, Hamas claimed that its leadership remained unharmed.
Israel’s Finance Minister, Bezalel Smotrich, applauded the airstrike on Doha, emphasizing that terrorists would not have impunity anywhere globally. He praised the Israeli military and intelligence services for the precise execution of the attack.
Qatar, known for its mediation efforts in the Gaza conflict, expressed dissatisfaction with Israel’s actions, leading to a halt in peace negotiations in the country. The Qatari foreign ministry condemned the attack as a blatant violation of international law, declaring that they would not tolerate Israeli disturbances to regional security.
Following the incident in Qatar, reports emerged that the Houthis had also launched a drone towards Israel. The Jerusalem Post noted previous instances of Houthis launching ballistic missiles and drones at Israel since March 18.
The Times of Israel confirmed that Israel’s air defenses intercepted a recent ballistic missile launched by the Houthis from Yemen. Sirens were activated in various regions, including Jerusalem, southern West Bank settlements, and communities near the Dead Sea, as a precautionary measure.
