Qatar awoke Wednesday still grappling with the fallout from an Israeli strike that targeted Hamas leaders meeting in Doha to discuss a probable ceasefire in Gaza. The air raid resulted in at least six fatalities in a bustling neighborhood home to foreign embassies and schools.
Local media largely echoed government statements while withholding in-depth commentary on the strike. Qatar, ruled by a hereditary emir and known for limiting public expression, faced an uphill task in addressing the nation’s outrage following the attack.
This incident, described as a dramatic escalation in the region, drew condemnation from numerous countries and has raised alarms that it might stymie ongoing negotiations directed toward peace and the release of hostages.
Hamas released a statement claiming that top leaders survived the attack but confirmed the deaths of five lower-ranking members, including the son of their Gaza leader. Despite this, Hamas did not provide immediate evidence to support the claim regarding the survival of its top officials.
Al Jazeera, which receives governmental funding in Qatar, labeled the attack as “brutal aggression.” The Israeli government previously issued a ban on Al Jazeera's operations within Israel and the West Bank amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict.
In a series of communications with global leaders, including U.S. President Trump, Emir Sheikh Tamim condemned the attack, holding Israel accountable for the repercussions, stating it threatens regional security and hinders efforts towards a sustainable diplomatic resolution.
Despite the presence of advanced air defense systems in Qatar, including U.S.-supplied Patriot missiles, there is uncertainty over their engagement during this attack. Qatar's Foreign Minister claimed the missiles used in the attack went undetected, suggesting a method of strike that avoided Qatari airspace.
Qatar also hosts vital U.S. military installations, serving as a central hub for military operations in the Middle East. However, the past warnings from the U.S. were disputed by Qatari officials, questioning the effectiveness of the information relay prior to the attack.
