Israel launches unprecedented attack on Qatar’s capital. By Dally Iyamu

Israel launches unprecedented attack on Qatar’s capital

The Israeli military on Tuesday bombed a residential building in Doha, the Qatari capital, in what it described as a targeted strike against senior Hamas leaders.

Local media reported six simultaneous explosions, with plumes of smoke rising over the city. The blasts hit a quiet residential neighbourhood that also hosts several foreign embassies.

“Qatar is known around the world for the level of security that people here enjoy,” a resident said, while Al Jazeera reported: “The explosions were heard ringing out across the city.

There are a lot of very nervous, very worried people across this country as we speak.”

The strike is Israel’s first on Qatari soil. Qatar has played a central role as mediator in ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas, and is home to Al Udeid Air Base, the United States’ largest military facility in the region.

Israel has been intensifying attacks across Gaza, Lebanon, Yemen, Syria and the occupied West Bank.

A Hamas source told Al Jazeera its delegation survived the Doha attack, while Qatar strongly condemned it.

The strike occurred as negotiators were reviewing the latest ceasefire proposal from Washington.

The Israeli military, alongside its Shin Bet intelligence service, confirmed it had “carried out a targeted attack on the top leadership of the Hamas terrorist organisation.”

“The members of the leadership who were attacked led the organisation’s activities for years, and are directly responsible for the October 7 massacre and the ongoing war against Israel,” the statement said.

It added that “steps were taken to minimise harm to uninvolved people, including the use of precision weapons and additional intelligence information.”

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office also stressed that the strike was “a wholly independent Israeli operation.”

“Israel initiated it, Israel conducted it, and Israel takes full responsibility,” it said.

Meanwhile, Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs reacted with fury, saying it “condemns in the strongest terms” what it described as a “criminal attack” on residential buildings housing members of the Hamas political bureau.

“This attack constitutes a flagrant violation of all international laws and norms, and a serious threat to the security and safety of Qataris and residents of Qatar,” ministry spokesperson Majed al-Ansari said.

“While strongly condemning this attack, the State of Qatar affirms it will not tolerate this reckless Israeli behaviour, its tampering with regional security, or any action targeting its sovereignty. Investigations are underway at the highest level, and further details will be announced soon.”

The Interior Ministry later assured that Doha remained safe, with specialised teams deployed at the site.

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres also condemned the attack, calling it a “flagrant violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Qatar.”

He praised Qatar’s “very positive role” in efforts to broker a ceasefire in Gaza and secure the release of captives held by Hamas.

“All parties must work towards achieving a permanent ceasefire, not destroying it,” Guterres warned.