Israel launched an attack on top Hamas officials Tuesday, the Israel Defense Forces announced, as explosions rocked the Qatari capital Doha.
The IDF said on X it “conducted a precise strike targeting the senior leadership of the Hamas terrorist organization,” without explicitly mentioning Doha. An Israeli official confirmed the location of the attack to POLITICO.
It is the first time Israel has carried out a strike in the Gulf state and marks a major escalation of unrest in the Middle East. In footage shared on social media, smoke can be seen curling above the Qatari capital.
A second Israeli official told POLITICO the attack was coordinated with the United States.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said on X the strike “against the top terrorist chieftains of Hamas was a wholly independent Israeli operation,” adding “Israel initiated it, Israel conducted it, and Israel takes full responsibility.”
Officials from the Palestinian militant group have long been based in Doha, with Qatar serving as a mediator in drawn-out negotiations between Hamas and Israel to end the war in Gaza and return Israeli hostages abducted on Oct. 7, 2023.
The IDF said it used “precise munitions and additional intelligence” to avoid civilian casualties.
Qatar’s foreign ministry said it “strongly condemns the cowardly Israeli attack that targeted residential buildings housing several members of the Political Bureau of Hamas,” calling it a “a blatant violation of all international laws and norms.”
The American embassy in Doha said that it had seen “reports of missile strikes occurring” in the Qatari capital.
“U.S. citizens are advised to shelter-in-place and monitor U.S. Embassy Doha social media for updates,” the embassy said.
This article is being updated.
Elena Giordano contributed to this report.
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