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The Hamas leadership has survived Israel’s assassination attempt in the Qatari capital, Doha, but at least six people were killed in the attack, according to an official statement from the Palestinian group.
In its first official statement on Tuesday evening, the Palestinian group said Israel’s attack was intended to derail prisoner exchange talks and ceasefire negotiations to end Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza that has killed more than 64,000 people.
“This once again reveals the criminal nature of the occupation and its desire to undermine any chances of reaching an agreement,” Hamas said.
The group confirmed that at least six people, including the son and one of the aides of Hamas leader Khalil al-Hayya, were killed in the attack that has drawn global condemnation. Earlier, the Qatari Ministry of Interior said that a security officer was killed in the attack.
Earlier, a member of Hamas’s political bureau Suhail al-Hindi said the Palestinian group holds the United States administration responsible for the attack, which the Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned “in the strongest terms”. Doha called the assault a “blatant violation of all international laws and norms”.
“The State of Qatar affirms that it will not tolerate this reckless Israeli behaviour and its continued tampering with regional security, as well as any action targeting its security and sovereignty,” ministry spokesperson Majed al-Ansari said in a statement on Tuesday.
The Hamas leaders, al-Hindi said, were meeting with a positive outlook on the latest US ceasefire proposal to end the war in Gaza.
Sources said from Doha that the unprecedented attack on the city, which has hosted negotiations for a potential ceasefire in Gaza, reflected how “emboldened” Israel has become “by being able to carry out a genocide and getting away with it”.
The Hamas office was established in the country at the request of the US to facilitate peace talks.
Saudi Arabia “denounced in the strongest terms the brutal Israeli aggression and the flagrant violation of the sovereignty of the sisterly State of Qatar”, as other Arab leaders joined in the condemnation of the Israeli attack.
The leaders of the United Kingdom and France also condemned Tuesday’s attack, with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer saying it violated Qatar’s sovereignty, while French President Emmanuel Macron called the attack “unacceptable”.
Explosions were reported in Doha in the first such attack by Israel in Qatar, a key mediator in ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas and home to the region’s largest US military base, Al Udeid airbase, which hosts US troops.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office confirmed in a statement that the Israeli military carried out the attack in Doha on Tuesday against Hamas leaders. “Israel initiated it, Israel conducted it, and Israel takes full responsibility,” he said.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters that the administration of US President Donald Trump was notified by the US military that Israel was attacking Hamas, which “very unfortunately was located in a section of Doha, the capital of Qatar”.
“Unilaterally bombing inside Qatar, a sovereign nation and close ally of the United States that is working very hard and bravely taking risks with us to broker peace, does not advance Israel or America’s goals,” she said. “However, eliminating Hamas, who have profited off the misery of those living in Gaza, is a worthy goal.”
Leavitt said that Trump “immediately directed” US special envoy Steve Witkoff to inform Qatar of the attack.
The White House said that Trump has assured Qatari officials that such attacks will not be repeated.
“The president views Qatar as a strong ally and friend of the United States, and feels very badly about the location of this attack,” said Leavitt.
“The president also spoke to the emir and prime minister of Qatar and thanked them for their support and friendship to our country,” she added. “He assured them that such a thing will not happen again on their soil.”
But Doha disputed Washington’s account. Qatari foreign ministry spokesperson al-Ansari dismissed the idea that Qatar was warned in advance. He said the only call received from a US official came as explosions were already rocking the capital.