Doha/Tel Aviv: In a major escalation, Israel carried out airstrikes in Doha on Tuesday, targeting what it described as the senior leadership of Hamas operating abroad. The military offensive, codenamed “Summit of Fire,” marks one of the rare Israeli strikes outside Gaza and has drawn strong condemnation from Qatar.
Explosions Rock Doha
Residents in Doha reported hearing multiple explosions as black smoke rose over several locations in the city. Eyewitnesses described the blasts as “powerful” and “unprecedented.”
Qatari authorities have yet to confirm casualties but said investigations are underway. Civil defense teams have been deployed to assess the damage.
Israel Confirms the Strikes
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and the Israel Security Agency (ISA) issued a joint statement confirming the airstrikes.
“The IDF and ISA conducted a precise strike targeting the senior leadership of the Hamas terrorist organization. These leaders have been responsible for past attacks, including the October 7, 2023 massacre, and continue to manage the war against Israel,” the statement read.
An Israeli official told AFP that the operation was “a direct strike on Hamas senior figures under the codename Summit of Fire.”
Going After Hamas Abroad
Israel’s Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir had previously warned that Hamas leaders based outside Gaza would also be targeted.
“Most of Hamas leadership is abroad, and we will reach them as well,” Zamir said on August 31.
Tuesday’s strikes show Israel is extending its campaign beyond Gaza to weaken Hamas’s global network.
Why Qatar Matters
Qatar has long hosted Hamas leaders in exile while also acting as a key mediator in ceasefire talks and humanitarian negotiations between Israel and Hamas.
Analysts warn that striking targets in Doha could undermine Qatar’s role as a broker and complicate ongoing efforts to secure ceasefires or hostage releases.
Qatar Condemns the Attack
Qatar’s Foreign Ministry sharply condemned the strikes, calling them a “cowardly Israeli attack” and a violation of international law.
Spokesperson Majed al-Ansari said on social media:
“The State of Qatar strongly condemns the cowardly Israeli attack targeting residential buildings housing several members of Hamas’s political bureau in Doha. This criminal assault threatens the safety of Qatar’s citizens and residents.”
He confirmed that security forces and emergency teams were managing the situation.
Israel Defends the Operation
Israel’s Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich hailed the mission, saying:
“Terrorists have no immunity. This was the right decision and a perfect execution by the IDF and Shin Bet.”
A White House official confirmed that Washington was briefed in advance, underlining close coordination between Israel and the US.
Impact on Peace Efforts
Experts fear the Doha strikes could further complicate ceasefire negotiations in Gaza and delay talks over hostage exchanges.
The attack also raises legal and diplomatic questions, as striking targets on foreign soil without host approval risks straining Israel–Qatar relations.
For now, both allies and critics are watching closely to see if the “Summit of Fire” signals a wider campaign against Hamas leaders abroad — and what that means for fragile regional diplomacy.
