Israel has carried out a precision strike on Hamas' senior leadership in the Qatari capital Doha, an Israeli source told CNN after an explosion was heard in the city. This appears to be the first time Israel has carried out an operation on Qatari territory.
The source did not specify the exact target of the attack, but Hamas leaders have used Doha as a headquarters outside the Gaza Strip for years.
Shortly after the blast, the Israeli army (IDF) and the internal security service "Shin Bet" issued a joint statement announcing that they had carried out a "precision strike" on "the senior leadership" of Hamas.
The location of the operation was not officially specified, but the text emphasized that the target was a group of leaders who "for years have led the organization's terrorist operations, are directly responsible for the October 7 attack, and are leading the war against the State of Israel."
A senior Hamas official confirmed to CNN that Hamas negotiators were attacked in Doha. Earlier this week, Hamas's chief negotiator, Khalil al-Haya, met in the Qatari capital with Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani.
Qatari Foreign Minister Majed Al-Ansari condemned the attack, calling it a "blatant violation of all international laws and norms." Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi also reacted sharply, describing the attack as "cowardly." and "unacceptable".
The Iranian Foreign Ministry said the strike was "dangerous" and a "gross violation of international law", Iranian media reported.
Israeli Channel 12 television reported, citing a senior Israeli source, that U.S. President Donald Trump had given the green light for the operation. Reuters was unable to independently confirm the information.
"Reuters" sources reported that Hamas' delegation to the ceasefire talks in Doha had survived an Israeli attack.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in an article in X that Israel took full responsibility for the attack: "Today's actions against senior Hamas terrorist leaders were a completely independent Israeli operation. Israel initiated them, Israel carried them out, and Israel takes full responsibility."