Explosion in Doha: Assassination Attempt on Hamas Leaders

Israeli Channel 12 quoted a senior Israeli official saying that the explosion in Doha was an assassination attempt targeting senior Hamas officials. A senior Hamas source told Al Jazeera that the movement’s negotiating delegation was targeted while meeting in Doha to discuss President Trump’s ceasefire proposal. The Israeli army stated, “The IDF and Shin Bet, through the air force, precisely targeted Hamas leadership.” It added, “The targeted leaders have led Hamas’s terrorist activities over the years and bear direct responsibility for the October 7th events and managing the war against Israel.” The army’s statement continued, “The army and Shin Bet will continue to act decisively until the Hamas organization responsible for October 7th is eliminated.” The Qatari Foreign Ministry condemned the Israeli attack that targeted the residential headquarters of several members of Hamas’s political bureau in Doha. They stated, “The criminal Israeli attack constitutes a blatant violation of all international laws and norms and poses a serious threat to the security and safety of Qataris and residents in Qatar.” Earlier, Israeli Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir threatened to eliminate Hamas leaders abroad amidst the ongoing war in the Gaza Strip. He said, “Most of the remaining leaders of the movement are sitting abroad, and we will reach them as well.”