Israel attacked Hamas's leadership sheltered in Qatar

The Israeli Army (IDF) and Shin Bet confirmed on Tuesday the execution of a targeted attack in Doha, Qatar, aimed at the Hamas leadership, including leaders identified as directly responsible for the October 7, 2023, massacre, in which about 1,200 people were killed in southern Israel.

According to official sources, one of the main targets was Khalil al-Hayya, a senior Hamas official. Although his elimination has not yet been confirmed, Israel keeps that the operation was carried out with precise intelligence and munitions designed to minimize collateral damage.

An Israeli official stated that the United States was aware of the operation and gave the green light to the action. In fact, the U.S. embassy in Doha issued a shelter-in-place order for its citizens after the attack became known.

Doha's response was immediate. The spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Majed al-Ansari, described the attack as "cowardly" and a "blatant violation of international law", warning that it represents "a serious threat to the security of Qatar and its residents."

Qatar accused Israel of undermining mediation efforts and prolonging the war, at a time when new ceasefire and hostage release proposals were being discussed.

The operation marks a new phase in Israel's strategy against Hamas. Traditionally, targeted assassinations abroad have been attributed to Mossad, as in the case of Ismail Haniyeh, killed in Tehran in July 2024.

This time, however, the action was openly acknowledged by the Air Force and Shin Bet, reflecting a shift in tactics and a direct message about these leaders' responsibility in the ongoing war.

Israel keeps that Hamas's top commanders were not only the architects of the October 7 massacre, but also have directed the organization's terrorist machinery for years.

The elimination of central figures raises questions about who will be in charge of the negotiations, at a time when the international community—with Washington pressuring both sides—is seeking an agreement to end the fighting and allow the return of the hostages.