In brief
An Israeli airstrike in Doha targeted senior Hamas leaders during a meeting, leading to destruction and condemnation. Qatar labeled it a 'cowardly attack', while international reactions included strong statements from the UN and criticisms of Israel's actions as violations of sovereignty. This event marks a major escalation in the ongoing conflict.
Israel has carried out a strike targeting the senior leadership of Hamas in Qatar's capital, Doha.
A Hamas official told the BBC that members of the Palestinian armed group's negotiating team were targeted during a meeting. It was not clear whether any of them were killed, but photos showed a badly damaged building in the northern Katara district.
The Israeli military accused the Hamas leaders of being directly responsible for the 7 October 2023 attack on Israel and of orchestrating the ensuing war in Gaza.
Qatar strongly condemned what it called the cowardly Israeli attack that targeted residential buildings housing several members of the political bureau of Hamas.
This criminal assault 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, a foreign ministry statement said.
The Gulf state - a key US ally in the region that is the location of a major American air base - has hosted the Hamas political bureau since 2012 and has served as a mediator in indirect negotiations between the group and Israel.
The UN Secretary General António Guterres also condemned the strike, calling it a flagrant violation of Qatar's sovereignty.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office stated that the operation was an independent initiative, emphasizing that Israel takes full responsibility for the action.
A senior Israeli official revealed that Hamas members targeted included Khalil al-Hayya and Zaher Jabarin. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz warned that Hamas leaders abroad would face annihilation if the group did not release hostages and cease operations, amid ongoing military actions since the attack on southern Israel on 7 October.
At least 64,605 people have been reported killed in Gaza due to Israeli attacks since the conflict escalated.
