‘Blatant violation of all international laws’: Israel strikes Qatar in shocking escalation targeting Hamas leaders

In a massive escalation of the war with Hamas, Israel has just confirmed it carried out an airstrike in Doha, the capital of Qatar, saying it was targeting senior Hamas leaders. This is the first time Israel has ever launched a strike in Doha, a place that has been a central hub for mediation efforts to end the conflict.

According to NPR, the Israeli military released a statement claiming the targeted Hamas leaders were directly responsible for the horrific October 7, 2023, attack on Israel and have been “orchestrating and managing” the war ever since. This strike is already causing a huge stir. Television footage from Doha showed a cloud of smoke billowing over a residential area where the attack happened.

While there has been no official word on casualties yet, the Qatari government has not been shy about its reaction. In a statement, Qatar’s Foreign Ministry “strongly condemn[ed] the cowardly Israeli attack that targeted residential buildings housing several members of the Political Bureau of Hamas.” They didn’t stop there, calling it a “blatant violation of all international laws and norms” that poses a “serious threat to the security and safety of Qataris and residents in Qatar.”

Israel’s latest strike isn’t sitting well with Qatar

The statement went on to say that Qatar “will not tolerate this reckless and irresponsible Israeli behavior, which continuously undermines the region’s security.” The United Nations is also weighing in. U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres has come out and condemned “this flagrant violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Qatar.” During a news conference, he was quick to point out that Qatar has been playing a crucial “positive role” in working toward a ceasefire and the release of all hostages.

Guterres urged all parties to work toward a permanent ceasefire, not to “destroy it.” It’s a pretty stark warning, and he’s not alone in his condemnation, as Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Lebanon, and Jordan have all also spoken out against the attack. The timing of the strike seems directly tied to a recent attack in Jerusalem.

On Monday, two Palestinian gunmen killed six Israelis at a bus stop, an attack that Hamas later claimed responsibility for. Following the bus stop shooting, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz released a joint statement. They said they had instructed officials to prepare for a possible strike on Hamas leaders and that they approved the Doha strike on Tuesday “in light of an operational opportunity.”

The strike itself came just two and a half months after Iran attacked the U.S. military’s Central Command at Qatar’s Al Udeid Air Base, in retaliation for the U.S. bombing of Iranian nuclear sites. Given the swift condemnations from key players like Qatar and the U.N., it’s clear this is a major escalation that could have serious consequences for the entire region’s security and for any future mediation efforts.