Israel has launched a deadly attack on Hamas leadership in Qatar, in an assault that threatens to plunge the region into a wider conflict.
Israel media, citing a senior Israeli official, said the attack was aimed at top Hamas leaders including Khalil al-Hayya, its Gaza chief.
Al-Jazeera reported that Hamas negotiators had been hit in Doha, quoting senior Hamas official. An AFP journalist said the explosions had rocked a Hamas compound.
Doha immediately condemned the ‘cowardly’ attack, described as a ‘flagrant violation to all international law’.
An Israeli official said the United States had been notified before the strike, according to Reuters.
Read our live blog below for coverage of the attack:
Israel carried out what it called a precise strike on Hamas‘ senior leadership in Qatar on Tuesday, with the Palestinian group claiming the IDF targeted negotiators.
Several blasts were heard in Doha, the Qatari capital, this afternoon as the IDF claimed responsibility for the unprecedented strikes.
The IDF said that it and the Israel Security Agency, Shin Bet, had ‘conducted a precise strike targeting the senior leadership’ of Hamas.
‘Prior to the strike, measures were taken in order to mitigate har
m to civilians, including the use of precise munitions and additional intelligence,’ it said, vowing to ‘continue to operate … to defeat the Hamas terrorist organisation’.
Read the full story by James Clark, here:
Qatar blasts ‘cowardly’ Israel attack in Doha
Qatar’s foreign ministry has lashed out at an Israeli strike against Hamas in Qatar, branding it ‘cowardly’ and a ‘flagrant violation’ of international law.
In strong words, spokesman Majed Al-Ansari said Qatar ‘condemns in the strongest terms’ the attack, which he claimed was carried out on residential buildings housing several members of the Hamas political bureau.
‘This criminal attack constitutes a flagrant violation of all international laws and norms and a serious threat to the security and safety of Qataris and residents of Qatar,’ he said in a statement.
‘While strongly condemning this attack, the State of Qatar affirms that it will not tolerate this reckless Israeli behaviour and its continued tampering with regional security, as well as any action targeting its security and sovereignty. Investigations are under way at the highest level, and further details will be announced as soon as they become available.’
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Israel strikes Hamas leadership in Qatari capital: Live updates
