Who was targeted in Israeli strikes on Qatar’s Doha?

Israel on Tuesday carried out strikes on Qatar’s capital Doha targeting senior Hamas officials.

Several blasts were heard in the capital, which the Israeli military said were the result of an assassination attempt against members of the Hamas leadership and senior officials of the Palestinian group.

It is the first such attack by Israel on Qatar, a key mediator in ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas. Qatari media said the attack happened as a negotiating team was discussing a Gaza ceasefire proposal put forward by the United States.

Who was targeted by Israel in Qatar?

Intially there were mixed reports on the survival of officials, however, an Hamas official confirmed to Al Arabiya that the team survived the Israeli assassination attempt.

Those on Israel's target list included Hamas’ Chief Negotiator Khalil al-Hayya along with Zaher Jabarin, Khaled Mashal, and Nizar Awadallah.

The Israeli military confirmed later that it targeted senior Hamas leaders but didn’t indicate the location.

“The IDF (Israeli military) and ISA (security agency) conducted a precise strike targeting the senior leadership of the Hamas terrorist organization,” the military said, without specifying where the strike took place.

A Hamas source told Al Arabiya that the negotiating delegation was targeted during its meeting in Qatar, where the Palestinian group’s political bureau is based.

Qatar’s reaction

In a statement, Majed al-Ansari, spokesperson for Qatar’s Foreign Ministry, said the country “condemns in the strongest terms” the attack, which he said 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,” the statement reads.

“While strongly condemning this attack, the State of Qatar affirms that it will not tolerate this reckless Israeli behavior and its continued tampering with regional security, as well as any action targeting its security and sovereignty. Investigations are underway at the highest level, and further details will be announced as soon as they become available.”

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