Dubai, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Israel launched a strike in Qatar on Tuesday targeting Hamas leadership, officials further expanding campaigns against extremist groups. Negotiations to end the war In the Gaza Strip, it looks like a deadlock before a New military attacks There.
Black Smoke rose above the skyline of Qatar’s capital Doha, where authorities have admitted the strike. It was not immediately clear whether anyone was injured in the attack.
The second time an energy-rich country has been attacked I was attacked directly In almost two years of war that grasped the wider Middle East since Hamas’ attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023 – despite serving as a key negotiator in an effort to end the conflict. It also raises doubts whether negotiations will continue anytime soon.
The attack came on Tuesday afternoon
Israeli Army spokesman Colonel Avichey Adrie noted that the Israeli Air Force would be taking a strike, but it was not immediately clear how the attack took place. Qatar Airways planes continued to land in Doha amidst strikes.
Israeli officials have sent mixed messages during the war, relying on Qatar mediation, while questioning their willingness to put pressure on Hamas. In a statement after the attack that did not name it Qatar, the Israeli military said that Hamas leaders were “directly responsible for the brutal massacre on October 7th, and coordinated and controlled the war with the Israeli state.”
The Israelis said they used “precise ammunition and additional information” on the strike without further explanation. Israeli officials spoke to the Associated Press on condition of anonymity and confirmed that Israelis targeted Hamas, Qatar, to discuss details beyond the statement.
Qatar has condemned what is called a “coopathic Israeli attack” on Hamas political headquarters in Doha. Al-Ansari, a spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, called it “a serious violation of all international law and norms.”
Qatar “confirms that this reckless Israeli action and continued disruption in the safety of the region and its actions targeting its security and sovereignty,” added Al-Anari.
Qatar attacked twice during the Middle East War
The vast Aldead Air Base in Qatar, home to the US military’s forward headquarters for a Middle East-based central commander, was hit by Iran during the 12-day Iranian-Israel war when American bombers attacked Iranian nuclear sites.
The US embassy in Qatar said it had “established an order for shelter for the site for their facilities.”
“We recommend that US citizens evacuate the location,” he added.
Earlier this week, US President Donald Trump said he was giving Hamas a “final warning” Possibility of a ceasefireas Arab officials explained the new US proposal. A Hamas official called it a “humiliating surrender document,” but the extremist group said it would discuss the proposal and respond within days.
The proposal, presented by Trump’s Middle East envoy, Steve Witkov, calls for negotiations and withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza after hostages are released and a ceasefire is established, Egyptians and Hamas officials are familiar with discussions that discussed the terms of the Associated Press’ anonymity.
The mediators previously focused on mediating temporary ceasefires and the release of some hostages, but both continued discussions on a more permanent ceasefire. Witkov left those talks in July, after that Hamas accepted the proposal The mediator said it was roughly the same as the previous ones approved by Israel.
Egyptian officials meditating on a potential ceasefire told the Associated Press that the strike came when a meeting was scheduled for the site on a meeting between Hamas officials. The official spoke on condition of anonymity. Because he was not allowed to speak to reporters.
___
Joseph Federman reported from Jerusalem. Samy Magdy contributed to this report from Cairo.
