Latest Details on Israeli Strike in Doha, With Qatar Vowing a Response
New information confirms the target of the Israeli strike was a two-story villa used for Hamas meetings, as Qatar's Prime Minister declares the incident a "critical moment" and a "terrorist attack."
New details are emerging about the Israeli strike in Doha, Qatar, codenamed "Peak of Fire," as Qatari officials condemn the attack and threaten a response. Qatar's Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, stated that the country has reached a "critical moment" and views the strike as a "terrorist attack." He emphasized that Qatar will not tolerate any violation of its sovereignty and has formed a legal team to explore a response.
The Ministry of Interior in Qatar has officially confirmed the death of Hamam Khalil al-Hayya, the son of senior Hamas official Khalil al-Hayya. The ministry's statement also mentioned that several civilians were wounded and that search efforts are ongoing for missing people at the site.
The target of the strike was a two-story villa near the coast of Doha that served as a meeting facility for Hamas leaders. The building was given the nickname "Assembly of Judgment" by Israeli military intelligence and the Shin Bet. Sources say the meetings took place on the second floor, and the intelligence agencies located the building through surveillance.
The operation itself was highly complex. The decision to carry out the assassination was reportedly made about a month ago, with planning accelerating in recent weeks. The IDF's Operations Directorate, led by Major General Itzik Cohen, gave the final approval for the strike just a day before it was carried out. About 10 Israeli Air Force fighter jets traveled 1,800 kilometers, requiring mid-air refueling, to reach the target. They dropped more than ten precision munitions within seconds of each other in a short window of opportunity. The operation's complexity was heightened by the location of the villa in a well-known residential neighborhood, meaning any error could have led to severe collateral damage.
All of Israel's intelligence branches, including the Shin Bet, military intelligence, and the Mossad, reportedly collaborated to provide the pilots with precise information. However, sources note that the Mossad opposed the operation due to the diplomatic sensitivity of striking a high-level target in Qatar, but an aerial strike was ultimately chosen.
While Hamas claims its negotiating team survived, and Israel is broadcasting optimism about the results, the full details of the strike's success remain unconfirmed.