Israel Launches Airstrike on Qatar Amid Gaza Ceasefire Talks

Doha: Israel launched an airstrike in Doha, Qatar, on Tuesday, targeting Hamas leaders whom the IDF claims were responsible for the October 7 massacre and have been orchestrating attacks against Israel.

A Hamas source told Al Jazeera that the strike occurred while a negotiating team was discussing a Gaza ceasefire proposal put forward by the United States. An attack on a foreign country during active negotiations can be seen as a serious violation of international law and a threat to global peace.

Black smoke was reported over Doha’s skyline, with Qatari authorities confirming the strike. It was not immediately clear if there were any casualties. This marks the second direct attack on the energy-rich nation since the conflict in the Middle East escalated following Hamas’ attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023.

It was reported that the attack was carried out using precise weapons with the help of Israel’s main intelligence agency, Shin Bet. The army stated that this was not an ordinary explosion, but a military operation aimed at targeting senior Hamas leaders.

Israeli authorities said the attack was carried out after consultations with the United States. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu later took full responsibility for the attack in a post on X (formerly Twitter). A White House official told CNBC that Israel had informed the Trump administration just before the attack.

Following the attack, the US Embassy in Doha issued a security warning to its citizens. Countries in the region, including Iraq, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, condemned Israel’s attack.

Qatar Airways continued operations in Doha amid the strike, while at least one Qatari Air Force aircraft reportedly took off for patrol.

Qatar condemned what it called a "cowardly Israeli attack" on Hamas' political headquarters in Doha. Foreign Ministry spokesman Majed al-Ansari described it as a "flagrant violation of all international laws and norms."

Previously, Qatar’s Al-Udeid Air Base, which houses the US military’s forward headquarters for Central Command in the Middle East, had come under attack during the 12-day Iran-Israel conflict, which also involved American bombers targeting Iranian nuclear sites.