Israel attacks Hamas leaders in Doha, drawing condemnation from Qatar over "cowardly strike"
Israel's military said Tuesday that it had "conducted a precise strike targeting the senior leadership of the Hamas terrorist organization," amid reports of large explosions in Qatar's capital city, Doha.
Qatar's government quickly issued condemnation of what it called a "cowardly Israeli strike," which it said had violated international law.
The Israel Defense Forces did not confirm the location of the strikes in its statement, but said it targeted leaders of Hamas who, in the IDF's words, had for years "led the terrorist organization's operations, are directly responsible for the brutal October 7 massacre, and have been orchestrating and managing the war against the State of Israel."
The IDF subsequently confirmed to CBS News that its original statement referred to an operation carried out Tuesday in Doha, which it said was called "Summit of Fire."
The Al-Jazeera television network said an ongoing meeting of Hamas leaders in Doha was struck, as they gathered to discuss a recent U.S. ceasefire proposal to end the war in the Gaza Strip.
Hamas condemned the strike, calling it "a heinous crime, a blatant aggression, and a flagrant violation of all international norms and laws."
Hamas said in a statement that five of its members were killed, but that Israel failed "to assassinate the brothers in the negotiating delegation." It also said a member of Qatari Internal Security was killed.
"Targeting the negotiating delegation, at a moment when it was discussing the latest proposal of American President Donald Trump, unequivocally confirms that Netanyahu and his government do not wish to reach any agreement," Hamas said in the statement. "We hold the American administration jointly responsible with the occupation for this crime, due to its continuous support for the aggression and the occupation's crimes against our people."
Witnesses told the Reuters news agency that plumes of black smoke were seen billowing from a gas station, next to which there is a small, residential compound that they said has been under 24-hour guard since the start of the war in Gaza.
"Prior to the strike, measures were taken in order to mitigate harm to civilians, including the use of precise munitions and additional intelligence," the IDF said.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office released a statement Tuesday saying the "action against the top terrorist chieftains of Hamas was a wholly independent Israeli operation. Israel initiated it, Israel conducted it, and Israel takes full responsibility."
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the Trump administration was notified by the U.S. military of the strikes. A senior U.S. official and a diplomatic source familiar with the strikes told CBS News that Israel notified the U.S. of the attack as it was about to happen. Two other U.S. officials told CBS News the U.S. did not coordinate with Israel on planning the strikes.
A senior U.S. intelligence official told CBS News that the U.S. told Qatar about the strike moments before the bombing.
President Trump later wrote on social media, "This was a decision made by Prime Minister Netanyahu, it was not a decision made by me. Unilaterally bombing inside Qatar, a Sovereign Nation and close Ally of the United States, that is working very hard and bravely taking risks with us to broker Peace, does not advance Israel or America's goals. However, eliminating Hamas, who have profited off the misery of those living in Gaza, is a worthy goal."
Qatar's Foreign Ministry spokesperson said in a post on X that claims that Qatar was informed in advance about the attack are false, and that a call from an American official came when explosions from the Israeli attack were being heard.
Mr. Trump in his Truth Social post said he told special envoy Steve Witkoff, who has been a key player in the negotiations, to warn the Qataris of the attack, but that the warning came too late for them to stop it. He also said he assured the Emir of Qatar and the Qatari prime minister such an attack "would not happen again on their soil."
"I also spoke to Prime Minister Netanyahu after the attack," Mr. Trump wrote. "The Prime Minister told me that he wants to make Peace. I believe this unfortunate incident could serve as an opportunity for PEACE."
Netanyahu and Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz published a joint statement saying, "this afternoon, in light of an operational opportunity, and in consultation with all heads of the defense establishment and with full backing, the Prime Minister and the Defense Minister decided to implement the instruction given last night to the IDF and the Shin Bet, which did so in a precise and optimal manner."
"The Prime Minister and the Defense Minister believed that the action was completely justified in light of the fact that this Hamas leadership was the one who initiated and organized the October 7 massacre, and has not stopped launching murderous actions against the State of Israel and its citizens since then," the joint statement said.
Netanyahu also noted, "Israel acted wholly independently — wholly independently — and we take full responsibility for the attacks."
Countries including the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Turkey released statements condemning the strikes in Doha.
Hamas, long designated a terrorist organization by Israel, the U.S. and the European Union, has maintained a primary political office in Doha for years, through which it has conducted most of its diplomacy since the war in Gaza was sparked by the group's Oct. 7, 2023, terrorist attack on Israel.
Qatar is a close ally of the United States and also hosts the largest U.S. military base in the Middle East, Al-Udeid Air Base. It has also been one of the mediators, alongside the U.S. and Egypt, of the ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas.
The Qatari government condemned what it called a "cowardly Israeli attack that targeted residential compounds housing several members of Hamas' political bureau in the Qatari capital, Doha."
"This criminal act constitutes a blatant violation of all international laws and norms and poses a serious threat to the security and safety of Qatari citizens and residents," Dr. Majed Al Ansari, spokesperson for Qatar's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said in the statement. "Qatar reiterates its firm stance that it will not tolerate this reckless Israeli behavior and continued destabilization of regional security, nor any act that targets its sovereignty and safety. Investigations are being conducted at the highest level, and further details will be announced as soon as they become available."
In a post on social media, the U.S. Embassy in Doha said it was aware of "reports of missile strikes occurring in Doha," and it announced a shelter-in-place order for embassy facilities that was later lifted.
The group that represents the families of the hostages taken during the Oct. 7 Hamas attack said in a statement Tuesday that the families were "following the developments in Doha with deep concern and heavy anxiety. A grave fear now hangs over the price that the hostages may pay."
The group demanded a plan from the Israeli government to return all 48 hostages to Israel. Netanyahu has said 20 of those captives are still believed to be alive.
"The time has come to end the war," the group said.