Hamas sources say that the group’s ceasefire negotiation delegation, which had been meeting in Doha to discuss a US-backed proposal, survived the attack.
DOHA — Israel launched an air strike targeting senior Hamas leaders in the Qatari capital, Doha, on Tuesday, in a new blow to efforts to reach a Gaza ceasefire deal.
A senior Hamas leader told Al Jazeera television that the strike hit as group negotiators were discussing US President Donald Trump’s recent proposal for a Gaza ceasefire and prisoner swap.
Hamas confirmed to TRT World that the Hamas leadership delegation survived the Doha attack.
Türkiye, the UN, the Vatican, and several countries have condemned the Israeli strike in Qatar.
Türkiye
Türkiye’s Foreign Ministry has strongly condemned the attack, calling it a “heinous strike targeting Qatar’s sovereignty and security.”
“The Israeli attack in Doha shows Israel has adopted expansionism and terrorism as a state policy. It does not want peace; it wants to continue war,” the ministry said.
UN
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has condemned Israel’s strike in Qatar, calling it a “flagrant violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity” of the Gulf state.
He urged all parties to “work towards achieving a permanent ceasefire in Gaza, not destroying it.”
Vatican
Pope Leo expressed concern over the situation, warning of grave consequences from the attack.
“There’s some really serious news right now: Israel’s attack on some Hamas leaders in Qatar. The entire situation is very serious,” the Pope said outside the papal summer residence of Castel Gandolfo, as quoted by ANSA news agency.
Egypt
Egypt’s presidency also issued a strong condemnation, calling the strike a “dangerous precedent and a rejected development.”
It says the attack undermines the global efforts for de-escalation in the region.
Saudi Arabia
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman called Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani to express the kingdom’s “full solidarity” with Doha and pledged to deploy “all capabilities to support Qatar” after the Israeli strike.
The Saudi Foreign Ministry warned against the “dire consequences” of Israel’s “persistence in its criminal violations,” while describing the strike as a “brutal” and “blatant” attack.
UAE
The UAE’s Foreign Ministry condemned the strike in “the strongest terms,” describing it as both “blatant and cowardly.”
Iran
Iran joined the criticism, with its Foreign Ministry spokesperson saying the strike was “dangerous” and a “violation of international law”, according to Iranian media.
“This extremely dangerous and criminal action is a gross violation of all international rules and regulations, a violation of Qatar’s national sovereignty and territorial integrity,” Iran’s foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei told state TV.
C. TRT World & Agencies
