Israel carried out a strike targeting Hamas leadership in Qatar on Tuesday, according to two Israeli sources cited by CNN. This appears to be the first known Israeli military operation against the militant group in the Gulf nation.
A senior Israeli official said Hamas’ chief negotiator, Khalil Al-Hayya, was among those targeted. “We are awaiting the results of the strike,” the official added.
Qatar’s foreign ministry condemned the attack, with spokesperson Majed Al Ansari describing it as a “cowardly” and “criminal assault” that violates international law. “While strongly condemning this attack, the State of Qatar emphasizes that it will not tolerate this reckless and irresponsible Israeli behaviour,” Al Ansari said on X.
A senior Hamas official confirmed to CNN that the group’s negotiators in Doha were targeted. One Israeli source said the United States had been informed prior to the strike. CNN has reached out to the White House and State Department for comment.
Qatar, home to the Al Udeid Air Base—the largest US military facility in the region—is a close US ally and was designated a Major Non-NATO Ally in 2022. Earlier this year, the base came under Iranian attack following US strikes on nuclear facilities in Iran during Israel’s June campaign.
Following Tuesday’s strike, the US embassy in Qatar issued a shelter-in-place order for its facilities. “We have seen reports of missile strikes occurring in Doha. The US Embassy has instituted a shelter-in-place order for their facilities. US citizens are advised to shelter-in-place,” the embassy said on X.
Shortly after the explosion, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said it had targeted “senior leadership” of Hamas in a precise strike conducted with the Shin Bet security agency. The statement did not confirm the location of the operation but implied it took place outside Gaza.
“For years, these members of the Hamas leadership have directed the organisation’s operations, are directly responsible for the October 7 massacre, and have been orchestrating and managing the war against the State of Israel,” the IDF said.
On Monday, Khalil Al-Hayya met with Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani in Doha.
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