Israeli attacks on Hamas leaders in the Qatari capital Doha on Tuesday failed. Arab media reports said that the leaders had gone to pray before the attack. They left their mobile phones at the meeting place. The attack was carried out using the signals from these phones.
The Saudi-owned newspaper Asharq Al-Awsat reported that the leaders were in another house outside the main building (the meeting place) at the time of the attack. They survived because the main building was targeted and they were in a separate location at the time.
According to the report, the attack in Doha targeted a meeting of some senior Hamas leaders. Khalil al-Haya, the vice-chairman of the Palestinian independence movement’s political bureau, was the main target.
West Bank Hamas leader Zaher Jaberin and political bureau member Nizar Awadallah were also initially believed to have been killed.
Al-Haya and his vice president, Khaled Meshaal, were not present at the main building. Both are alive.
Al-Jazeera reported that the main purpose of the meeting was to discuss the latest peace deal proposed by US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff. An unidentified senior Qatari official told the Times of Israel that the leaders attending the meeting had traveled to Doha from Turkey.
Hamas has claimed that none of its leaders were killed. However, Palestinian media reported that al-Haya’s son, Himam, and his office director, Jihad Labad, were killed.
Al-Jazeera reported that the main purpose of the meeting was to discuss the latest peace deal proposed by US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff. An unidentified senior Qatari official told the Times of Israel that the leaders attending the meeting had traveled to Doha from Türkiye.
An Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) spokesman said, “The IDF and the ISA (Shin Bet) carried out a specific attack targeting senior Hamas leaders.”
“These Hamas leaders have been directing the organization’s activities for years. They are directly responsible for the October 7 attacks on Israel and are leading the war against Israel.”
“Before the attack on Qatar, precautions were taken to minimize civilian casualties, such as the use of precision missiles and the collection of additional intelligence.”
“The IDF and ISA will continue to work resolutely to defeat Hamas.”
Barak Ravid of Israel’s Channel 12 said an Israeli official confirmed to him that the operation was an “attempted assassination of Hamas officials”; codenamed “Summit of Fire.”
An Israeli official confirmed that the operation was an “attempted assassination of Hamas officials”; codenamed “Summit of Fire.”
Barak Ravid, Channel 12 journalist
The same media outlet reported that US President Donald Trump had given the “green light” to the attack, despite his administration’s close ties with Qatar.
Washington declined to immediately comment on the matter.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office has sought to downplay allegations of US involvement in the operation. It says today’s operation against Hamas leaders was a completely independent Israeli initiative.
The prime minister’s office said, “Israel initiated the attack, carried it out and takes full responsibility for it.”
Meanwhile, Qatar condemned the attack. A spokesman for the country’s foreign ministry said, “This criminal attack is a clear violation of all international laws and regulations. It is a serious threat to the security of the people of Qatar and those in Qatar.”
Qatar condemned the attack. A spokesman for the country’s foreign ministry said, “This criminal attack is a clear violation of all international laws and regulations. This is a serious threat to the security of the people of Qatar and those in Qatar.’
The spokesman added, ‘We strongly condemn this attack. Qatar will never tolerate such reckless Israeli behavior and will not tolerate any attack on its security and sovereignty.’
Of course, Israeli politicians praised the attack. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich called it the ‘right decision.’
‘There is no concession to the ‘terrorists’ and there will be no future. The long arm of Israel will surround them anywhere in the world,’ wrote Smotrich on social media.
Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid congratulated the Air Force, IDF, Shin Bet and all Israeli security forces. He said, ‘They carried out an extraordinary operation to repel our enemy.’
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