Israel’s surprise attack on the Qatari capital was allegedly intended to eliminate the longstanding Hamas leadership hindering Gaza ceasefire negotiations, according to President Isaac Herzog. The President stated that the strike in Doha specifically targeted terror leaders led by Khalil al-Hayya, who repeatedly rejected Israel’s peace proposals.
During his visit to London, the 64-year-old Israeli politician explained, “The objective was to neutralize the leadership that opposed the peace agreements. We aimed at those who consistently opposed suggestions, including exiled Gaza leader Khalil al-Hayya, who is responsible for the deaths of numerous Israelis. Khalil consistently rejected every peace initiative, persisting with objections.”
The bold assertion regarding the attack, which resulted in six casualties, was disclosed just before Herzog’s meeting with Prime Minister Keir Starmer to discuss the Gaza situation. Among those killed were five Hamas members and a Qatari security worker, although the identities of the deceased Palestinians have not been officially confirmed by Israeli sources.
The airstrike by Israel is believed to have dashed hopes for a Gaza ceasefire in the midst of ongoing hostilities in Gaza City, with numerous buildings being destroyed. The death toll in the Strip has surpassed 50 Palestinians since early Tuesday, reaching over 64,600 casualties.
Medical charity Médecins Sans Frontières condemned the ongoing assault on Gaza City as a potential “death sentence,” warning about the dire consequences of displacing one million people, including critically ill patients and newborns, from Gaza City to crowded and under-resourced areas in the central and southern parts of the Strip.
Qatari security forces were present at the bombing site in a residential area of Doha, attempting to piece together the events of the attack. The strike, which occurred in a district populated with foreign embassies and schools, did not completely destroy the targeted complex. There were signs of a targeted missile attack on a specific room, indicating precise intelligence on the Hamas team’s location.
The militant network typically takes time to confirm the deaths of its leaders. The attack on the territory of a US ally drew widespread condemnation from countries in the Middle East and beyond.
This incident marked a significant escalation in the region, potentially disrupting peace talks and efforts to secure the release of hostages still held by Hamas in Gaza. Observers noted that the buildings housing Hamas leadership in Doha remained standing, with minimal damage suggesting the use of low-yield weaponry by the Israeli military.
Israel has not disclosed the specific weapons used but mentioned employing precision-guided weapons to minimize collateral damage. Hamas reported that its senior leaders survived the attack, while lower-ranking members, including al-Hayya’s son, were among the casualties.
Al-Hayya, Hamas’ Gaza leader and top negotiator, has risen in prominence following the deaths of senior Hamas figures in recent years, leading one of five leaders in the temporary ruling committee formed to govern the group during the conflict.
Qatar possesses a significant arsenal of air defense systems, yet its defenses were reportedly not activated during the attack due to the nature of the weapons used by Israel, which may have been undetectable by radar.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Qatar’s prime minister and foreign minister, criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for the attack, condemning it as barbaric and destabilizing. He also questioned Netanyahu’s intentions to reshape the Middle East and potentially the Arabian Gulf.
The New York-based think tank, the Soufan Centre, raised concerns about the repercussions of Israel’s strike on Qatar, questioning who would be willing to mediate future conflicts if neutral parties like Qatar faced retribution for their diplomatic roles.
Israel has reportedly issued evacuation orders for nearly one million residents of Gaza City before a planned ground offensive. The Israeli military has targeted multiple buildings in Gaza City in an effort to locate Hamas fighters, raising fears for the safety of remaining hostages, some of whom may be held underground in the city.
The attempted strike on Hamas leadership in Doha is feared to have increased the risks for the hostages, leaving families anxiously awaiting news of their loved ones’ fate.
