Israel has carried out a strike targeting the senior leadership of Hamas in Qatar's capital, Doha. A Hamas official reported that members of the Palestinian armed group's negotiating team were hit during a meeting, with significant damage reported to buildings in the Katara district. The Israeli military accused these leaders of being directly responsible for the October 7, 2023 attack on Israel, which has escalated into a broader conflict in Gaza.

Qatar condemned the airstrike as a 'cowardly attack,' highlighting it as a violation of international laws and a threat to safety in the region. The Gulf nation has hosted the Hamas political bureau since 2012, serving as a mediator in negotiations between Hamas and Israel.

UN Secretary General António Guterres echoed these sentiments, calling the action a 'flagrant violation' of Qatari sovereignty. In response, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that the operation primarily aimed to neutralize senior Hamas figures.

Among those targeted were Khalil al-Hayya, a chief negotiator for Hamas, and Zaher Jabarin, an exiled leader. The strike follows warnings from Israeli officials about potential annihilation for Hamas leaders abroad and continued military actions in Gaza, where a significant death toll has been reported since the conflict escalated.