Daijiworld Media Network – Doha
Doha, Sep 9: Several explosions were reported in Qatar’s capital Doha on Tuesday, shortly after Israel’s military announced it had carried out a “precise strike” targeting senior Hamas leaders. Black smoke was seen rising over the city, though reports of casualties remain unclear.
“The IDF and ISA conducted a precise strike targeting the senior leadership of the Hamas terrorist organisation,” the Israeli military said in a statement, adding that those leaders were responsible for the October 7, 2023 massacre and continued to orchestrate the war against Israel.
An Israeli official told the Associated Press that the strike occurred in Doha, home to exiled Hamas leaders for years and the hub of mediation talks between Israel and the Palestinian group. The attack comes days after Israel’s Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir vowed to pursue Hamas leadership abroad.
Qatar strongly condemned the strike, calling it a “cowardly Israeli attack” and a “flagrant violation of international law.” Foreign Ministry spokesman Majed al-Ansari said the strike targeted Hamas’s political headquarters in Doha.
Meanwhile, Israel’s Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich hailed the operation, declaring that Hamas leaders would “never have immunity from Israel’s long arm anywhere in the world.”
The development is likely to complicate ongoing ceasefire negotiations in Gaza, including discussions on the release of hostages taken by Hamas.