BREAKING: Israel attacks Hamas leaders in Qatar | WATCH

In a joint statement, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and the Shin Bet announced that the Israeli Air Force conducted a targeted airstrike earlier today against senior Hamas leadership in Qatar.

The operation focused on key figures who have led the terrorist organization for years and were directly responsible for orchestrating the brutal October 7, 2023, massacre and managing the ongoing war against Israel.

According to the statement, the IDF and Shin Bet took extensive measures to minimize harm to civilians, including the use of precision-guided munitions and additional intelligence to ensure accuracy.

The operation was managed from a joint command center operating out of two locations, the Israeli Air Force Pit at the Kirya and a Shin Bet war room in central Israel.

According to the Shin Bet, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Israel Katz, the acting head of the Shin Bet, and the acting deputy head of the Shin Bet were all present in the war room at the time of the attack, along with the head of Military Intelligence (Aman).

In a statement posted on his social media account, IDF Spokesperson in Arabic Avichay Adraee announced the operation's name as "Peak of Fire," and stated that "the terrorist Hamas leadership was bombed."

According to unconfirmed assessments, a recent proposal for a deal was part of a "crazy drill" executed by Israel and the United States. The alleged deception operation was designed to draw Hamas's negotiation team to Qatar. The move, sources suggest, was a "perfect deception operation."

Channel 12 reports that there were more than 10 explosions in Doha.

The attack involved approximately 15 fighter jets and struck only a single target (although the Qataris claim four targets were struck.)

According to the report, more than 10 munitions were used, hitting the target within a few seconds of each other. The operation, which required aerial refueling, concluded with all Israeli pilots returning safely to Israel.

The strike was called "Peak of Fire," and reportedly targeted several senior Hamas officials.

Sources in Saudi Arabia have reportedly named five senior Hamas officials believed to have been targeted. The list includes Muhammad Darwish, Khalil al-Hayya, Ghazi Hamad, Khaled Mashaal, and Zaher Jabarin.

A separate report confirms that five senior Hamas officials were present at a meeting in Doha, including Khaled Mashaal, but other sources claim he wan't at the meeting.

Other sources indicate that Musa Abu Marzouk, Hossam Badran, and Taher al-Nunu are among those believed to have been hit.

The Saudi-owned news channel Al Arabiya is reporting that four senior Hamas officials were assassinated in the recent strike in Qatar.

According to the report, sources confirmed that Khalil al-Hayya, Zaher Jabarin, Khaled Mashaal, and Nizar Awadallah were all killed in the attack. (Israel tried to assassinate Mashaal in Jordan in 1997, but failed.)

More current reports indicate that al-Hayya was not at the meeting and was not assassinated. However, Al Arabiyya reports that his family members (and an assistant) were wounded in the attack and that four residential buildings were hit during the strike. It's also possible they were killed in the attack.

Two new name has been added to the list of senior Hamas officials believed to have been killed in the recent strike in Doha. According to reports, Nizar Awadallah and Ranem Khaled were possibly eliminated too.

Israel is waiting for confirmed reports about the results of its audacious strike, but Israeli officials believe that the targets of the recent strike were "significantly hit and may have been eliminated."

A Qatari news channel is reporting that the Hamas leadership in Doha is not answering their phones following the strike.

For now, there has been no official American response to the attack. However, a senior Israeli official confirmed that the United States was updated on the operation in advance. The official added that that Trump himself approved the operation. Notably, Qatar hosts the largest American military base in the Middle East.

An American surveillance plane was seen operating over Doha in the hours leading up to the recent Israeli strike. The sighting suggests a level of U.S. awareness of the operation beyond just a pre-strike briefing. In fact, U.S. officials told Israeli media that Washington had informed Qatar of the planned Israeli strike after receiving prior notification from Israel.

Trump warned Hamas recently, in what is now reminiscent of his warnings to Iran before the 12 Day War. He said, "It is time for Hamas to accept my terms. I have warned Hamas ... this will be my last warning."

Israel tried to put distance between America and the strike. The Prime Minister's Office stated, "Today's action against the top terrorist chieftains of Hamas was a wholly independent Israeli operation. Israel initiated it, Israel conducted it, and Israel takes full responsibility."

A negotiator who has recently served as a go-between for the U.S. and Hamas, has issued a stark warning following the strike. In a statement, the negotiator wrote that while the results of the attack are not yet known, if Israel acted on its own without a green light from Donald Trump, then the only way to save the reputation of the U.S. is by an immediate end to the war.

The statement adds that a failure to act by Trump will be seen as an admission that he gave the green light for the military attack on Qatari soil.

White House Contradicts Israeli Claim, Says It Was Not Briefed on Strike

A senior White House official has contradicted previous Israeli reports of U.S. foreknowledge of the recent strike, stating that Israel only updated the U.S. after the missiles were already launched and that the U.S. had "no ability to influence" the operation.

Another senior Israeli security official stated that the operation to eliminate Hamas leadership in Qatar was a complete surprise. "We succeeded in surprising the Hamas leadership; they did not believe we would dare to attack in the capital of Qatar," the official said.

A spokesperson for Qatar's Foreign Ministry has confirmed that a recent strike in Doha hit a residential home "where a number of members of the political bureau of Hamas live."

According to new details, the operation was planned for several months. However, the decision to accelerate the timeline came in the last month after Hamas reportedly showed increased rigidity regarding a deal. Throughout the last few weeks, discussions were held within the IDF to ensure all intelligence and operational elements were ready for the action.

Prime Minister Netanyahu and Defense Minister Katz said that the decision to eliminate the Hamas leadership was made following yesterday's "murderous attack in Jerusalem" which claimed the lives of six Israeli civilians, with two others in serious condition.

Qatar also issued a strong condemnation of the strike, calling it a "cowardly and illegal attack."

However, about 20 minutes before the air force attack, Qatari Air Force F-15s conducted a patrol over Qatari territory accompanied by American and British refueling aircraft. Also, Qatar's air defense system was not activated at all.

Egypt condemned it as a “dangerous precedent” undermining de-escalation efforts, while Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas called it a blatant violation of international law, warning that it could destabilize the entire region. He urged an immediate halt to the escalation and renewed calls for a comprehensive peace.

French President Emmanuel Macron strongly condemned Israel’s strikes in Qatar, declaring them “unacceptable regardless of their motive.” “I express my solidarity with Qatar and with the Emir, Sheikh Tamim Al-Thani,” Macron said. “The war must not be allowed to spread to the region under any circumstances.”

Egypt’s Foreign Ministry called Israel's strikes an “aggressive policy” that clearly aims to “destroy any opportunity for calm, de-escalation, and an agreement that ensures a ceasefire and the release of hostages.” The ministry warned of the consequences of what it described as “unprecedented Israeli escalation,” saying it threatens regional stability, undermines mediation efforts, and expands the scope of conflict at the expense of civilian security.

A growing list of nations and organizations have also condemned the recent Israeli strike in Doha. This includes the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, the Houthis, Kuwait, Iraq, Islamic Jihad, the Arab League, and Turkey.

The Democratic Front for Peace and Equality (Hadash), an Arab-Jewish political party, has strongly condemned the assassination of the Hamas leadership in Doha. In a statement, the party called the strike "an assassination of the negotiations that constitutes a clear and immediate danger to the lives of the hostages."

The party further stated that the strike was "an illegal political decision" intended to "enable the continuation of the war of annihilation." The statement accused the Israeli government of having a "true goal" of "the occupation of Gaza, ethnic cleansing, and settlement." The party ended its message by calling on the nations of the world to "stop Israel from acts of genocide."

Jordan's King Abdullah II spoke with the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, in a phone call to emphasize his country's support for Qatar. During the call, King Abdullah reportedly stressed that "the security of Qatar is part of the security of Jordan, which rejects any action that harms the security, stability, and sovereignty of Qatar."

If the strike was successful, observers say it could leave Hamas without a functioning leadership, raising major questions about the future of the organization and any potential for a hostage deal. The Israeli security cabinet was reportedly briefed on the operation in advance.

In response to the strike, the Hostages Families Forum said that the assassination of Hamas's negotiating team was part of a plan by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to continue the war and avoid a hostage deal.

In a related development, the U.S. Embassy in Doha has instructed American citizens to stay in protected areas.

The NYPD also deployed additional resources to religious, cultural and diplomatic sites, across New York City, “out of an abundance of caution.”

In a pointed jab, Itzik Kroizer posted on X, "The negotiations in Doha just blew up."

It seems that Defense Minister Katz wasn't joking when he said that Israel has a very long arm and will strike its enemies wherever they are.

Just nine days ago, the IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir similarly said, "[Israel's] hand is still extended" and declared, "most of the Hamas government is abroad, we will get to them too." The statement, made on September 1, now serves as a prelude to the operation.

A photo has emerged that is believed to be the last image of some of the Hamas leaders targeted in the recent strike. The photo reportedly shows members of the Hamas abroad leadership, including the organization's chief negotiator, Khalil al-Hayya, with Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi last Thursday, per Roi Kais, who mockingly referred to the image as "The Last Supper?"

Hamas representatives in Turkey have reportedly gone underground following the strike.

According to Trey Yingst reporting for Fox News, Hamas consolidated power in Doha as the war in Gaza continued. However, only after Ismail Haniyeh went to Tehran for Pezeshkian's inauguration and was killed, the leadership in Doha created a council of 5 people who were responsible for a potential ceasefire agreement and the hostages held by Hamas.

It's also noteworthy that while Israel chose not to strike Haniyeh on Qatari ground, they have made a radical shift with this operation.

Qatar has announced that it is suspending its mediation efforts for a deal indefinitely. Meanwhile, security sources in Qatar report that two bodies were discovered in a building that had been targeted in the strike.

Israel believes it will know the final results of the strike within the next few hours, however a Hamas official just confirmed that senior Hamas officials were wounded in the strike.

Qatar Confirms Strike on "Hamas Headquarters" as Conflicting Casualty Reports Emerge

The Qatari Interior Ministry has confirmed that a recent attack targeted "Hamas headquarters," stating that relevant teams are on the scene and the situation is secure. The ministry called on the public to only rely on official information.

Despite the official statement, conflicting reports have emerged regarding the strike's casualties. The Palestinian Arab Quds Network reports that Khalil al-Hayya's son, Hamam al-Hayya, and Jihad al-Lebed, his chief of staff, were killed in the Israeli strike in Doha.

In contrast, another report from Al Hadath states that while the strike was aimed at Khalil al-Hayya’s office and killed his family members and guards, the fate of the Hamas leadership remains unknown.

A retired brigadier general has stated that the recent operation in Qatar could force a "significant change" in Hamas's strategic thinking, possibly leading to its surrender.

Speaking on Channel 14, the general said that the strike could cause the group to "understand its strategic situation and bring it to a decision to surrender."

This attack is unprecedented, because for the first time since Operation Entebbe in 1976, the IDF has struck targets in a country that is not an enemy state. Obviously, Qatar both funds and encourages terror and has hosted Hamas leadership in its country for a long time, but it is not officially an enemy state of Israel. In fact, it went to great lengths to worm itself into Netanyahu's aide's pockets, and spread messages that it is Israel's "great friend". (Qatargate)

As Jonatahn Schanzer eloquently pointed out, "Qatar has played arsonist and firefighter for years ... Now that blood has finally been spilled on Qatar’s carpet, Doha faces a question it should have been forced to grapple with years ago: is sponsoring terror worth it? Can they still host fancy parties and panels while terrorists they sponsor are getting killed down the street?"

Schanzer adds that this strike could cause quite a rupture between Qatar and the United States, but that it's long overdue.

In addition, the elimination of Hamas's political leadership on Qatari soil may significantly harm Qatar's status as a major mediator bridging the West / Arabs / Israel and Iran.

Lastly, for anyone feeling sorry for Hamas leaders in Doha, this footage of them celebrating October 7th will show you everything you need to know.