The strike aimed at senior Hamas officials but reportedly killed lower-level members instead
Doha, Qatar (AQRI.net) — What was intended to be one of Israel’s most decisive strikes outside Gaza has instead become a controversial blunder, fueling outrage and questions across the Middle East.
Late Monday night, explosions tore through Doha, the Qatari capital, in what Israeli officials described as a targeted operation against senior Hamas leadership. Yet initial reports suggest the missiles missed their intended high-profile targets, instead killing lower-level Hamas members and civilians caught nearby.
Breaking News: Israel Targets Hamas Leadership in Attack on Qatar’s Doha
The operation and its targets
According to regional sources, the strike was carried out just as Hamas officials were meeting in Doha to review a ceasefire proposal drafted by the United States. The meeting was believed to involve senior Hamas leaders, including Khalil al-Hayya and Khaled Mashal. However, security sources told AQRI.net that the top officials had either left the area minutes before the blasts or were shielded by underground bunkers.
Instead, witnesses said that several mid-level operatives, aides, and local drivers were killed, alongside at least six civilians who happened to be near the targeted compound.
“The missiles were not precise. The area was devastated. But the main leaders are alive,” a Hamas source told AQRI.net under condition of anonymity.
Regional shock and condemnation
Qatar’s Foreign Ministry issued a swift condemnation, calling the strike “a cowardly and reckless attack that undermines peace negotiations.” Officials stressed that striking a neutral capital where talks were taking place was a direct violation of international law.
Turkey, Iran, and Egypt echoed similar concerns, warning that Israel had crossed a new line by extending the war beyond Gaza. Even some U.S. lawmakers expressed discomfort, suggesting that Washington must clarify whether it had foreknowledge of the strike.
A war spilling across borders
Since October 2023, Israel’s war in Gaza has left more than 64,000 Palestinians dead, with over 163,000 wounded, according to Gaza’s health ministry. Thousands remain buried beneath the rubble. By contrast, Israel says its actions are justified by the Hamas-led October 7 attacks that killed more than 1,100 people inside Israel and resulted in around 200 hostages.
But the Doha strike signals a new escalation — one that experts say could destabilize the entire Gulf region.
“This isn’t just about Hamas anymore,” said Somali security analyst Abdirahman Yusuf, speaking to AQRI.net. “This is about whether Israel feels it can strike anywhere, anytime, regardless of sovereignty. That is deeply destabilizing for smaller states like Qatar.”
Fallout and global response
The United Nations Security Council is expected to convene an emergency meeting to address the Doha strike. Human rights groups are demanding accountability and transparency, particularly around civilian casualties.
Meanwhile, in Doha itself, residents are shaken. Videos circulating online show shattered glass, burning vehicles, and a city unaccustomed to direct military attacks.
For Hamas, the survival of senior leaders may be viewed as a propaganda victory. Yet the deaths of lower-level members still weaken the group’s operations. Analysts argue that Israel may have intended this outcome, targeting infrastructure and middle managers rather than risking an international uproar if senior figures had been killed during negotiations.
Conclusion
The strike, intended to show precision and strength, has instead exposed vulnerability and sparked accusations of recklessness. Whether by design or by failure, Israel’s attack on Doha has further eroded trust in ceasefire talks and heightened fears of an uncontrollable regional war.
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