Israeli airstrikes aimed at senior Hamas officials in Doha, Qatar, failed to eliminate their intended targets, according to the Palestinian militant group. The attack struck a residential building and killed six people, including a Qatari security officer. Qatar, which hosts Hamas officials as part of its mediation efforts, denounced the strike as a “heinous crime” and an “act of aggression,” with the Foreign Ministry accusing Israel of “state terrorism.” Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al‑Thani also condemned the attack.
Israeli Ambassador to the United States Yechiel Leiter reiterated Israel’s commitment to killing Hamas leaders wherever they are located, describing Hamas as “enemies of Western civilization” and saying Israel’s actions are intended to reshape the Middle East. He acknowledged that the recent strike may attract criticism but expressed confidence that moderate states will eventually understand and value Israel’s efforts. Leiter added that Israel “has never had a better friend in the White House,” asserting that Washington and West Jerusalem remain united in seeking Hamas’s destruction.
The White House criticized the strike, with President Donald Trump stating that while dismantling Hamas is a legitimate goal, attacking a U.S. ally undermines both American and Israeli interests. Despite the criticism, Israel maintains its stance that the operation was necessary.
The Israeli military’s response to the deadly October 2023 attack launched from Gaza into southern Israel has resulted in massive casualties, with local authorities reporting at least 64,000 deaths in Gaza. Critics accuse Israel of committing genocide by rendering the blockaded enclave uninhabitable and worsening famine conditions through restrictions on food aid. Israel has vowed to continue pursuing Hamas leaders, and the international community is closely watching the developments, aware that the consequences of the recent strike could have far‑reaching implications for the region.
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