Explosions Shake Qatar’s Capital During High-Stakes Talks
Several explosions rocked Doha, Qatar, on Tuesday as Israel launched a targeted strike on top Hamas leaders, many of whom were in the Gulf capital for ceasefire negotiations.
The attack, which sent plumes of smoke rising over Doha, has drawn sharp condemnation from Qatar, which slammed it as a “flagrant violation of international law.”
Trump’s Alleged Nod Before the Strike
In a major revelation, an Israeli news channel reported that it was former U.S. President Donald Trump who “gave the green light” to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for the operation.
Netanyahu, however, insisted on X (formerly Twitter):
“Israel initiated it, Israel carried it out, and Israel takes full responsibility.”
According to Al Arabiya, Hamas negotiators were in Doha to discuss Trump’s ceasefire proposal, which included a hostage release deal and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza once a truce was secured.
Senior Hamas Leaders Reportedly Targeted
Israeli media reported that Khalil al-Hayya and Zaher Jabarin, two of Hamas’s most senior officials, were among those hit in the strike.
Both are part of Hamas’s five-member top leadership, which also includes Khaled Mashal and Muhammad Ismail Darwish, following the death of Yahya Sinwar in an Israeli strike last year.
Details on casualties remain unclear.
Ceasefire Proposal Rejected as “Humiliating”
Earlier this week, Trump warned Hamas to accept his ceasefire plan, calling it the group’s “last chance.”
A senior Hamas official dismissed the proposal as a “humiliating surrender document”, though the group agreed to deliberate before responding.
The U.S.-backed plan, presented by Trump’s Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, seeks a negotiated end to the war, hostage releases, and an eventual Israeli withdrawal from Gaza.
Qatar Condemns ‘Cowardly’ Attack
Qatar’s Foreign Ministry strongly denounced the Israeli strike, calling it a “cowardly act” and a direct threat to regional stability.
Spokesman Majed al-Ansari said:
“This is a flagrant violation of all international laws and norms.”
The Gulf nation has long hosted Hamas’s political bureau and acted as a mediator in past ceasefire negotiations.
Israel Defends Its Operation
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and Israel Security Agency (ISA) said the operation was aimed at eliminating Hamas leaders “directly responsible” for the October 7 massacre and for orchestrating ongoing attacks on Israel.
Israel claimed it took steps to minimize civilian casualties, relying on precision-guided weapons and real-time intelligence.
