Hamas sources have told Al Jazeera and other media outlets that its leadership survived an assassination attempt in the Qatari capital, Doha.
Leadership sources confirmed to Al Mayadeen, Al Jazeera, Al Arabi and Reuters of the survival of the negotiating delegation that was targeted with a dozen airstrikes.
“The Zionist entity claimed to target senior Hamas leaders including Khalil Al-Hayya and Zaher Jabareen, during their meeting discussing Trump’s latest ceasefire proposal.
“Reports stated that several Hamas members and family members were martyred, but there are no confirmed reports of martyrs among the leadership,” sources said.
Hamas sources later confirmed that five people were killed in the Israeli bombing of the Hamas delegation today in Doha, including Hamas leader Khalil Al Hayya’s son. Others killed included bodyguards and administrators.
List of the dead:
- Hamam Khalil Al Hayya.
- Jihad Labad.
- Mumin Hasouna.
- Abdullah Abdul Wahid “Abu Khalil.”
- Ahmed Abdul Malik “Abu Malik.”
It is the first such attack by Israel in Qatar, a key mediator in ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas.
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The Israeli military said: “The IDF and ISA (Shin Beth) conducted a precise strike targeting the senior leadership of the Hamas terrorist organization.
“For years, these members of the Hamas leadership have led the terrorist organization’s operations, are directly responsible for the brutal October 7 massacre, and have been orchestrating and managing the war against the State of Israel.
“Prior to the strike, measures were taken in order to mitigate harm to civilians, including the use of precise munitions and additional intelligence.
“The IDF and ISA will continue to operate with determination in order to defeat the Hamas terrorist organization responsible for the October 7 massacre.”
Qatar condemnation
A spokesperson for Qatar’s foreign ministry has condemned “in the strongest possible terms” the attack.
Dr Majed Al Ansari said the strike hit a residential premises “where a number of members of Hamas’ political bureau reside in the Qatari capital, Doha.”
He said the attack constitutes a “blatant violation” of international laws as well as a “serious threat” to those in Qatar.
“The State of Qatar strongly condemns this attack, and affirms that it will not tolerate this reckless Israeli behaviour and the continuous tampering with the security of the region and any action aimed at its security and sovereignty.”
Since 2012, Qatar has hosted Hamas’s political leadership in Doha, including figures like Khaled Mashal and Ismail Haniyeh, at the request of the United States to facilitate communication with the group.
This arrangement was intended to support mediation efforts between Hamas and Israel, particularly for ceasefire and hostage negotiations.
Qatar has provided significant financial support to Hamas, to fund humanitarian aid, government salaries, and fuel.
However, its support for Hamas has drawn criticism in Israel, particularly after the October 7, 2023, attack, with accusations that Qatar’s funding and hosting of Hamas leaders “enable terrorism.”
Qatar’s foreign ministry has maintained that its support for Hamas is humanitarian and aimed at stabilizing Gaza, denying direct funding of Hamas’s military wing.
More reaction
- A White House official has confirmed that the Trump administration was “notified” about the Israeli strike on Doha before it took place.
- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres strongly condemned the Israeli strikes. “We are just learning about the Israeli attacks in Qatar, a country that has been playing a very positive role to achieve a ceasefire and release of all hostages,” Guterres said during a news conference. Guterres condemned “this flagrant violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Qatar,” and urged all sides to “work towards achieving a permanent ceasefire, not destroying.”
- In a statement, the Saudi Foreign Ministry strongly condemned the attack as “blatant violation of the sovereignty of the State of Qatar.” It affirmed the kingdom’s “full solidarity and support for Qatar, and placing all its capabilities at its disposal to assist in any measures it may take.”
More to follow…
