Hamas denies leadership casualties as regional backlash mounts over Israeli strike on Qatari soil
DOHA/TEL AVIV: Israel claimed on Tuesday that it had eliminated the top political leadership of Hamas in a precision airstrike on Doha, the capital of Qatar—a move that has triggered a wave of regional condemnation and intensified tensions across the Middle East.
The strike, which occurred just hours after a deadly terrorist attack in Jerusalem, reportedly targeted a meeting of Hamas’s political bureau. According to Al Jazeera, the leadership was discussing a ceasefire proposal allegedly floated by former U.S. President Donald Trump when loud explosions rocked the Katara area of Doha. Smoke was seen billowing over parts of the city following the blasts.
Israel later issued a statement claiming it had “neutralized” six senior Hamas figures, naming them as:
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Khaled Meshaal
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Khalil al-Hayya
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Zaher Jabarin
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Mohammad Ismail Darwish
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Mousa Abu Marzouk
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Husam Badran
However, a senior Hamas official swiftly denied the Israeli claim, asserting that none of the targeted leaders were killed and that the meeting had concluded before the strike occurred.
Netanyahu Takes Responsibility
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in a joint statement with Defence Minister Israel Katz, confirmed that they had personally ordered the operation following Monday’s attack in Jerusalem, in which two Palestinian gunmen killed six civilians at a bus stop.
“This Hamas leadership planned the October 7th massacre and has continued to orchestrate attacks against Israeli civilians,” the statement said.
“Given the opportunity, we executed the strike with precision and success.”
The Israeli government said it considered the operation “fully justified” in the context of ongoing threats to its citizens.
Qatar Condemns Strike as ‘Cowardly’ and Criminal
Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the strike in the strongest terms, calling it a “cowardly Israeli attack” and a violation of Qatar’s sovereignty and international law.
Foreign Ministry Spokesman Majed al-Ansari said the attack targeted residential buildings and endangered Qatari citizens and foreign residents. He warned of the broader implications for regional security and stressed that Qatar will not tolerate such aggression.
“This is a criminal assault and a blatant breach of all international norms,” the official statement read.
“Qatar affirms that investigations are ongoing at the highest level, and necessary measures have been taken to safeguard the area and its residents.”
Gulf States Rally Behind Qatar
The airstrike has drawn sharp criticism from across the Gulf region, with Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Turkiye all issuing statements in solidarity with Qatar.
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The UAE called the strike “blatant and cowardly”, and a dangerous escalation.
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Saudi Arabia described it as “brutal aggression” and a “flagrant violation” of Qatari sovereignty.
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Turkiye condemned the airstrike, accusing Israel of “choosing war over peace” and using state terrorism.
All three nations warned of the dire consequences of Israel’s growing military reach into neighboring states and called for immediate international action to prevent a wider conflict.
Regional Fallout Expected
The unprecedented nature of the Israeli strike — targeting Hamas officials outside traditional conflict zones — has alarmed observers, raising questions about the future of diplomatic efforts in the region, especially with Qatar having played a key role in past negotiations between Hamas and Israel.
Analysts fear the move may further isolate Israel and lead to a broader regional confrontation, especially if further retaliatory steps are taken.
