Israel launched an unprecedented strike on high-ranking Hamas leaders in the capital of Qatar, Doha, leading to an escalation of the already tense confrontation between the country and Arab states over the war in Gaza, writes Bloomberg.
The actions against the Iran-backed group were a «completely independent operation by Israel», according to a statement from the office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. «Israel initiated it, Israel conducted it, and Israel takes full responsibility», the statement said. It also noted that measures were taken to minimize harm to civilians.
Israeli officials told Reuters that the strike targeted the top leadership of Hamas, including Khalil al-Hayya, the leader of the terrorist group in exile from Gaza and the chief negotiator.
Later, two sources in Hamas told Reuters that members of the Hamas ceasefire negotiation team survived the attack. This was later reported by Al Jazeera.
Israel has never before attacked Qatar, and this strike is likely to further anger Arab countries. Moreover, Qatar is an ally of the US, which has so far supported Israel's military actions against Hamas and other armed groups.
A White House spokesperson stated that Israel notified the US directly before the start of the attack. According to Israel's Channel 12, Trump gave the «green light» for the operation.
Qatar condemned the strike on the country's capital, calling it a «flagrant violation» of international law. «Qatar will not tolerate such reckless behavior by Israel and its ongoing interference in regional security», said Foreign Ministry spokesperson Majed Al-Ansari in his post on X.
Qatar is one of the key mediators between Israel and the Palestinian group, recognized as a terrorist organization by the US and the European Union, and plays a central role in ceasefire negotiations between the two sides. Additionally, Qatar hosts the Al Udeid Air Base, the largest US military facility in the Middle East.
As Bloomberg writes, oil prices surged following reports of the Israeli attack, which revived concerns about the expansion of the conflict in the Middle East. West Texas Intermediate crude rose by 1.8% to $63 per barrel.
Photo: Reuters