Israel attacks Hamas leadership in Qatar

The Israel Defense Forces said Tuesday it has attacked Hamas leadership in Doha, Qatar.

"The IDF and ISA conducted a precise strike targeting the senior leadership of the Hamas terrorist organization," the Israeli military group posted on X. "For years, these members of the Hamas leadership have led the terrorist organization's operations, are directly responsible for the brutal October 7 massacre, and have been orchestrating and managing the war against the State of Israel.

The leaders of Hamas, the Palestinian group with which Israel has been at war for nearly two years, have had their headquarters outside of Gaza for years.

"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 and ISA will continue to operate with determination in order to defeat the Hamas terrorist organization responsible for the October 7 massacre," the IDF also posted on X.

The attack reportedly happened late Tuesday afternoon local time. 

A senior Hamas official told CNN that their negotiators were targeted. Hamas’ chief negotiator Khalil Al-Hayya met with Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani in Doha on Monday.

A senior Israeli official told CNN that among those targeted was Al-Hayya.

“We are awaiting the results of the strike,” the official said.

They also said the United States, which is an ally of both Israel and Qatar, was informed ahead of the strike.

The Qatari foreign ministry’s spokesperson, Majed Al Ansari, said that “the cowardly Israeli attack” targeted residential buildings housing several Hamas members in Doha.

“While strongly condemning this attack, the State of Qatar emphasizes that it will not tolerate this reckless and irresponsible Israeli behavior,” Al Ansari said.

Qatar has been a key mediator in Gaza ceasefire talks with the U.S., Israel, and Hamas, hosting multiple rounds of negotiations.

The Israeli prime minister’s office said in a statement, “Today’s action against the top terrorist chieftains of Hamas was a wholly independent Israeli operation. Israel initiated it, Israel conducted it, and Israel takes full responsibility.”

After the strike, the U.S. embassy in Qatar implemented a shelter-in-place order for its facilities in the country.

“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.