Israeli regime attack targets senior Hamas officials in Doha

Reuters reported on Monday that several explosions were heard in Doha, with smoke rising over the Katara district of the city.

Quds News Network said that more than ten consecutive blasts were heard in Doha.

The U.S.-based outlet Axios, citing an Israeli official, reported that the explosions were part of an operation to assassinate Hamas leaders.

In a joint statement, the Israeli army and the Shin Bet intelligence service claimed: “The Air Force recently carried out a precise strike against the leadership of Hamas.” The occupation forces alleged that the targeted commanders had for years overseen Hamas operations and were “directly involved in the October 7 attack.”

Following the bombing of a Hamas office in Doha, a senior Hamas source confirmed to Al Jazeera that the strike targeted the movement’s negotiating delegation while it was holding a meeting in the Qatari capital.

The source said: “The attack occurred while the Hamas delegation was discussing President Trump’s proposal for a ceasefire.”

Israeli television reported that “Israel informed the United States prior to the strike on Hamas leaders in Doha.” Channel 15, citing an Israeli official, said the attack had been carried out with consensus among political and security authorities.

Channel 14 further reported, quoting an Israeli official, that the operation targeted senior Hamas leaders, including Khalil al-Hayya and Zaher Jabarin, and that Israel was awaiting the results of the strike.

However, sources told Al Arabi that the Hamas negotiating team survived the Israeli assassination attempt in Doha.

The Qatari Foreign Ministry condemned the “cowardly attack” by Israel, which targeted residential compounds of Hamas members in Doha.

The ministry called the Israeli strike a blatant violation of all international laws and norms, declaring: “This criminal attack poses a serious threat to the security and safety of Qatari citizens and residents in the country.”