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Washington: Israel launched strikes targeting the leadership of Hamas in Qatar on Tuesday, stepping up its campaign against the listed terrorist group at a sensitive moment in ongoing negotiations over a ceasefire and the release of hostages.
Black smoke rose over the skyline of the Qatari capital, Doha, with authorities there acknowledging the strike. It was not immediately clear if anyone was hurt in the attack.
Black smoke rose over the skyline of Doha following the targeted strike. Credit: Youtube/Al Jazeera
Israel immediately confirmed it conducted the strikes. “Today’s action against the top terrorist chieftains of Hamas was a wholly independent Israeli operation,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said. “Israel initiated it, Israel conducted it, and Israel takes full responsibility.”
The Israel Defence Force said it and the Israel Security Agency conducted a precise strike aimed at killing the senior leaders of Hamas, and said they would continue to “operate with determination” to defeat the group responsible for the October 7, 2023 attacks on Israel.
“Prior to the strike, measures were taken in order to mitigate harm to civilians, including the use of precise munitions and additional intelligence,” the IDF said.
Hamas’ political leadership has operated openly in Qatar since 2012. A furious Qatari government condemned what it called a “cowardly Israeli attack” and said a “criminal assault constitutes a blatant violation of all international laws and norms”.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Majed al-Ansari said the Israeli strikes targeted residential buildings in Doha where members of Hamas’ political bureau lived.
“While the State of Qatar strongly condemns this assault, it confirms that it will not tolerate this reckless Israeli behaviour and the ongoing disruption of regional security, nor any act that targets its security and sovereignty,” he said.
The strikes came after the US made a new proposal to Hamas to release the final hostages it captured on October 7, 2023, believed to be 48 people, with 20 still alive. President Donald Trump said on Monday (AEST) that Israel had accepted his terms and it was time for Hamas to do the same.
“I have warned Hamas about the consequences of not accepting,” he said at the time. “This is my last warning, there will not be another one!”
Israeli media reported the US was given notice of the operation. The White House declined to comment at this time. The US embassy in Qatar said it had instituted a shelter-in-place order and advised American citizens in the country to do the same.
Qatar Airways continued landing in Doha amid the strike, even as at least one Qatari air force aircraft took off on patrol over the country.
Qatar is a key US ally in the region. Its vast Al-Udeid Air Base is home to the US military’s forward headquarters for its Middle East-based Central Command, and came under Iranian attack during the 12-day Iran-Israel war that saw American bombers attack Iranian nuclear sites.
with the Associated Press
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