Doha/Tel Aviv: Israel has carried out targeted airstrikes in Qatar, killing two senior Hamas leaders in what it described as a “preventive counter‑terrorism operation.” The rare strike outside the Palestinian territories has drawn sharp condemnation from Doha, which accused Israel of violating its sovereignty and destabilising the Gulf region.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said the operation was based on “credible intelligence” linking the Hamas officials to planned attacks on Israeli civilians. Qatar’s Foreign Ministry called the strike “an unacceptable breach of international law” and summoned Israel’s chargé d’affaires in protest.
In a sign of mounting diplomatic urgency, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio departed Washington for Tel Aviv within hours of the incident. He is expected to meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to press for de‑escalation and to negotiate the release of hostages held in Gaza.
The strike comes amid faltering ceasefire talks and heightened regional tensions following Israel’s recent expansion of settlements in the occupied West Bank. Analysts warn the move could derail months of mediation efforts and risk widening the conflict beyond Gaza.
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