Daijiworld Media Network - Doha

Doha, Sep 9: In a dramatic escalation of the Gaza war, Israel launched an unprecedented strike on senior Hamas leaders in Qatar’s capital Doha, sparking outrage across the Arab world and raising fears of a wider regional conflict.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office confirmed the move was “a wholly independent Israeli operation,” adding, “Israel initiated it, Israel conducted it, and Israel takes full responsibility.” The White House said Washington was informed only moments before the attack.

Doha-based Al Jazeera reported that Hamas leaders, including Khalil Al-Hayya, survived the strikes. Qatar strongly condemned the assault, calling it a “flagrant violation of international law” and warning Israel against “tampering with regional security.”

The UAE cautioned of “extremely dangerous repercussions,” while Iran and Kuwait also denounced the operation. The rare strike on Qatari soil is seen as a sharp blow to the Gulf nation, which has served as a key mediator in Israel-Hamas ceasefire talks.

The attack jolted oil markets, with West Texas Intermediate crude climbing 1.8% to cross $63 a barrel, as fears of a wider Middle East conflict grew.

Israel has been waging war against Hamas since the group’s October 2023 attack, and has also been accused of assassinations abroad, including that of former Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran in 2024.