Israel launched a strike targeting Hamas’ leadership in Qatar, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announces on X.
“The IDF and [Israel Security Agency] conducted a precise strike targeting the senior leadership of the Hamas terrorist organization. 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 IDF said. “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.”
Qatari spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dr. Majed Al Ansari condemned the strike, calling it a “cowardly Israeli attack that targeted residential headquarters housing several members of the political bureau of the movement in the Qatari capital, Doha.”
“This criminal assault constitutes a flagrant violation of all international laws and norms, and a serious threat to the security and safety of Qataris and residents in Qatar,” he wrote, adding that Qatar “will not tolerate this reckless Israeli behavior and the continuous tampering with the region’s security, nor any action targeting its security and sovereignty. Investigations are ongoing at the highest level, and further details will be announced as soon as they become available.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a statement on the matter. “Today’s action against the top terrorist chieftains of Hamas was a wholly independent Israeli operation,” he said. “Israel initiated it, Israel conducted it, and Israel takes full responsibility.”
The U.S. Embassy in Qatar issued a shelter-in-place order for U.S. citizens in the area, citing “missile impacts in Doha.”
