Israeli airstrikes in Qatar target Hamas leadership

The Israeli military on Tuesday struck buildings in Qatar’s capital of Doha, targeting leaders of the Hamas terrorist organization, it said. The leaders orchestrated and managed the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas, the Israeli military said. Qatar has served as a mediator between Israel and Hamas during much of the Israel-Hamas war.

The strike was entirely Israel’s idea, and it took full responsibility, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Tuesday. Netanyahu also said Israel had accepted President Donald Trump’s framework for an immediate end to the war, which included the release of all hostages still held by Hamas.

How did Qatar respond? It strongly condemned the attack, which it said targeted residential buildings housing several members of Hamas. The strike violated international law, and such behavior from Israel would not be tolerated, a spokesman said. It also said it would suspend its mediation efforts between Israel and Hamas, according to The Jerusalem Post.

Who died in the strike? According to a Times of Israel analysis of Arabic-language news agencies, five Hamas members were killed. They were not leaders of the terrorist group.

• Himam al-Hayya, son of Hamas leader Khalil al-Hayya

• Jihad Labad Abu Bilal, Khalil al-Hayya’s office director

• Three people described as associates: Abdullah Abu Khalil, Moamen Abu Omar, and Ahmad Abu Malek

• A member of Qatar’s internal security forces, Corporal Badr Saad Mohammed Al-Humaidi, also died in the strike, according to the BBC.

How did the White House respond? While targeting Hamas was a worthy goal, bombing inside close ally Qatar’s territory did not advance Israeli or American goals, press secretary Karoline Leavitt said.

Dig deeper: Read Lauren Canterberry’s report about an attack on a Jerusalem bus stop that left six people dead.