Israel has confirmed carrying out a precision airstrike in Doha, Qatar, targeting senior leaders of Hamas in what officials described as an independent Israeli operation. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said the operation, code-named “Summit of Fire,” was aimed at Hamas figures allegedly responsible for orchestrating the October 7, 2023 massacre and for continuing attacks against Israel. The strike reportedly took place near a guarded residential compound in the Qatari capital, with witnesses describing plumes of black smoke rising after a series of explosions.
According to the IDF, advanced intelligence and precision-guided munitions were used to minimize civilian harm. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz released a joint statement confirming the action, stressing that Israel initiated, executed, and takes full responsibility for the strike.The White House later confirmed that Israel had notified the United States shortly before the operation but emphasized that Washington was not involved in planning or executing the attack. International reaction has been swift. Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Turkey, and the UAE strongly condemned the strikes, calling them a violation of international law and an escalation of the conflict. Qatar’s government described the incident as a “cowardly attack” that endangered civilians, pointing out that Hamas has long maintained its political office in Doha to conduct diplomatic activities.Hamas leaders were reportedly meeting in the compound at the time of the attack to discuss a U.S.-backed ceasefire proposal for the ongoing war in Gaza.Qatar, which also hosts the largest U.S. military base in the Middle East at Al-Udeid, has been playing a key role as mediator in ceasefire negotiations alongside the U.S. and Egypt. This latest strike has added significant strain to those delicate talks, raising questions about the future of diplomacy in the region.
