Background on Hamas and its Leaders
Hamas is a Palestinian Islamist organization that has been designated as terrorist by many countries, including Israel, the United States, and the European Union. It governs the Gaza Strip since winning the Palestinian elections in 2006. Hamas’s political bureau, led by Khalil al-Hayya, operates from exile in Qatar.
Details of the Attack
On Tuesday, Israel conducted an attack targeting Hamas leaders in Qatar. The assault, which aimed at negotiators of Hamas’s ceasefire in Gaza, included high-ranking members such as Khalil al-Hayya, the group’s exiled leader and chief negotiator.
- Israel confirmed the attack to Reuters.
- Al Jazeera, Qatar’s television network, reported that the attack targeted Hamas ceasefire negotiators based on a source within Hamás.
- Witnesses in Doha, Qatar’s capital, reported hearing explosions and seeing black smoke rising from the Legtifya gas station, near a small residential compound under 24-hour guard since the Gaza conflict began.
- Israeli media, quoting a high-ranking Israeli official, stated that the attack targeted top Hamas leaders including Khalil al-Hayya.
Qatar’s Condemnation of the Attack
Qatar, which has been mediating between Hamás and Israel, strongly condemned the “cowardly” Israeli attack on Hamás officials, calling it a “flagrant” violation of international law.
Key Questions and Answers
- Who is Hamas? Hamas is a Palestinian Islamist organization that governs the Gaza Strip. It has been labeled a terrorist group by numerous countries, including Israel and the US.
- Who are the key Hamas leaders targeted in Qatar? Among those targeted were Khalil al-Hayya, the exiled leader and chief negotiator of Hamás’s political bureau.
- What was the nature of the Israeli attack? The attack involved explosions in Doha, Qatar, targeting residential areas where Hamás political bureau members reside.
- How did Qatar respond to the attack? Qatar condemned the attack as “cowardly” and a “flagrant” violation of international law.
