International-News

Israel strikes Hamas in Doha: first raid in Qatar

Ten bombs dropped on the movement’s leaders. Condemnation from Arab countries, Trump distances himself

Doha – An unprecedented attack. For the first time, Israel has struck Qatar, dropping ten bombs on a two-storey villa in the Qatara residential district of Doha, a stone’s throw from the sea. According to Israeli sources, the building housed Hamas leaders who had gathered to discuss the latest American proposal for a ceasefire and the release of hostages.

The raid and the targets

The bombing, renamed “Fire Summit”, had been planned for over a year by the Israeli security services. The targets were said to include senior leaders such as Khalil al-Hayya, Khaled Mashaal, Muhammad Darwish, Razi Hamad and Izzat al-Rishq. The fate of the leaders remains uncertain: while the Israeli media are reporting success, Arab sources claim that it was mainly second-tier delegates who died. CNN, present at the scene, describes a collapsed building and an area cordoned off by police.

Reactions and consequences

The Arab world’s condemnation was immediate. The Doha government spoke of a ‘blatant violation of international law’, accusing Israel of striking a residential neighbourhood and putting hundreds of civilians at risk. Neighbouring countries expressed concern about the escalation. The White House, informed in advance of the operation according to US sources, confirmed that Donald Trump had telephoned Netanyahu and the Emir of Qatar: ‘The president does not agree with the attack on a US ally, but supports the need to eliminate Hamas,’ said spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt.

Political and military objectives

According to analysts, Israel wanted to hit two targets: eliminate Hamas’ most intransigent negotiators and force the movement to bring figures considered more willing to compromise, such as commander Izz al-Din al-Haddad, to the table. Immediately after the attack, Qatar postponed the planned negotiations. Netanyahu, taking responsibility for the operation, said: ‘The war in Gaza can end immediately, because we have already taken action.’

Escalation in Gaza

At the same time, the IDF ordered the evacuation of Gaza City with leaflets and messages distributed at dawn. Tens of thousands of civilians began moving south, but according to estimates, at least 300,000 people do not intend to leave their homes. Meanwhile, images of Ismail Haniyeh, who was killed in Tehran months ago, together with the Hamas leadership, are circulating on social media, used by the Israeli media as a symbol of the campaign to eliminate the group.

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