The Israeli army announced Tuesday that it had carried out a military operation targeting senior Hamas officials in the Qatari capital, Doha, while the group’s negotiating delegation was meeting to discuss a U.S.-backed ceasefire proposal for Gaza.
An Israeli military spokesperson said that “IDF and Shin Bet forces conducted a precise strike against Hamas leadership,” without providing further details on the nature of the operation.
Hamas sources confirmed to Al Jazeera that the Israeli strike directly targeted the delegation during its meeting. Israeli media reported that the operation specifically targeted senior leaders Khalil al-Hayya and Zaher Jabarin, noting that Israeli warplanes were behind the attack.
Across Doha, loud explosions were heard and eyewitnesses reported thick plumes of smoke rising into the sky. No official casualty figures or damage assessments have yet been released.
The escalation comes as international efforts continue to push for a ceasefire in Gaza, raising the stakes and complicating the already fragile negotiation process in the region.
