Israel dramatically escalated its war on Hamas Tuesday with a stunning air strike on the Iran-backed terror group’s political leadership in Qatar, a U.S. ally.
The group’s top figures — who survived the strike that killed five lower-ranked officials and one Qatari security officer — were gathered to consider a U.S. ceasefire proposal for the Gaza Strip.
The attack angered Qatar, an energy-rich Gulf nation hosting thousands of American troops that has served as a key mediator between Israel and Hamas throughout the 23-month-old war and even before.
Qatar condemned what it referred to as a “flagrant violation of all international laws and norms” as smoke rose over its capital, Doha. Other key U.S. allies in the Gulf, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, promised their support to Qatar.
The action against Hamas took place as Israel Defense Forces officials were warning civilians living in Gaza City to evacuate ahead of an expected ground offensive into the Palestinian enclave.
The IDF characterized the air raid on Doha as a “precise strike” targeting the terror group’s senior leadership.
According to Israeli media, they included Khalil al-Hayya, the acting Hamas leader who rose to power in the wake of the October 2024 assassination of Yahya Sinwar; Khaled Mashaal, a senior Hamas official who once led the group; and Zaher Jaborin, the head of finances for Hamas.
Israeli officials said they were optimistic after dropping at least 10 bombs on residences in Doha where Hamas leaders were staying.
Qatar has hosted the terror group since 2012 after it left Syria and has played a key role in facilitating talks with Israeli negotiators.
“For years, these members of the Hamas leadership have led the terrorist organization’s operations, are directly responsible for the brutal October 7 massacre, and have been orchestrating and managing the war against the State of Israel,” the IDF said in a statement.
President Trump said he told Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff to inform Qatari officials of the impending attack, which resulted in several explosions in a residential area of Doha, the capital of the Gulf State emirate.
The White House criticizes Israel’s decision to strike inside Qatar, which it called a “close ally” that was working to help broker peace between Jerusalem and Hamas fighters.
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The airstrike “does not advance Israel or America’s goals,” White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said Tuesday in a statement. “However, eliminating Hamas, which has profited off the misery of those living in Gaza, is a worthy goal.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel didn’t work with the United States or any other country as it prepared for Tuesday’s attack. “Israel initiated it, Israel conducted it, and Israel takes full responsibility,” he said in a statement afterwards.
Mr. Netanyahu said the establishment of the State of Israel means that Jewish blood is no longer free for the taking.
“There was a time when Jews could be murdered with impunity, but since the founding of the State of Israel, those days are over,” he said in a post on X after the air strikes.
Israel’s military campaign against Hamas, which began following the Oct. 7, 2023, attack that killed some 1,200 people, has resulted in air strikes against several other countries that have supported Hamas, including Iran, Syria, Lebanon, and Yemen.
President Trump assured Qatari officials that Tuesday’s attack by Israel would not be repeated in the future, according to a White House statement.
Israeli officials said they used precise munitions and detailed intelligence to mitigate harm to civilians.
Still, Qatar condemned the air strikes, calling them “cowardly.”
“The security authorities, civil defense, and relevant entities have immediately begun addressing the incident and taking the necessary measures to contain its repercussions and ensure the safety of residents and surrounding areas,” Majed Al Ansari, a spokesman for Qatar’s foreign ministry, said in a statement. “The State of Qatar strongly condemns this attack, [and] affirms that it will not tolerate this reckless Israeli behavior and the continuous tampering with the region’s security.”
In addition to the death of a member of the Qatari security force, the attack left several personnel assigned to the residential compound injured.
“Relevant authorities continue to survey and secure the targeted area,” Qatar’s interior ministry said in a statement. “It is closely monitoring developments and taking all necessary measures to guarantee the safety of citizens and residents, which always remain a top priority.”
Ms. Leavitt said President Trump views Qatar as a strong ally and friend of the United States and regrets that the mission was carried out. Mr. Netanyahu later told the president that he wants peace in the region.
“President Trump wants all of the hostages in Gaza and the bodies of the dead released and this war to end now,” Ms. Leavitt said. “President Trump believes this unfortunate incident could serve as an opportunity for peace.”
Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid offered congratulations to the air crews and security personnel who conducted Tuesday’s mission. But Mr. Netanyahu’s most ardent political foe noted that dozens of Israelis and others are still being held inside the Gaza Strip.
“The government needs to explain how the IDF operation will not lead to the killing of the hostages, and whether the risk to the hostages’ lives was taken into account in the decision to carry out the operation,” Mr. Lapid said in a post on X. “The war must be ended, and they must be brought back home.”
The IDF on Tuesday ordered a complete evacuation of Gaza City, the capital of the Gaza Strip, ahead of a major ground offensive aimed at taking out Hamas fighters believed to be still operating there. In the past, warnings for the civilian populations in the Gaza Strip focused on specific buildings or neighborhoods targeted by Israeli forces.
“For your safety, move immediately towards Al-Mawavi via Al-Rashid Street. Staying in the city is extremely dangerous,” Col. Avichay Adraee, the IDF’s Arabic language spokesman, posted Tuesday on X. “The [IDF] will act with great force in the area.”
Palestinian civilians were ordered to immediately evacuate toward the coastal community of Al-Maqwasi, which has been designated as a humanitarian area. The IDF asked Palestinian civilians to report any barriers set up by Hamas or attempts to keep them inside Gaza City.
“The [IDF] is determined to eliminate Hamas and will operate in the Gaza Strip with great force, as it has operated in various parts of the Strip,” Col. Adraee posted on X.
Hamas had demonstrated some level of success in conducting guerrilla operations against IDF personnel inside the Gaza Strip. They rely on small-unit tactics to slow Israel’s advances, said Joe Truzman, a senior researcher at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and editor of the think tank’s Long War Journal.
“As the IDF pushes deeper into Gaza City, Hamas is likely to continue to employ these methods,” Mr. Truzman said in a statement. “One of the most significant concerns for Israeli forces is the possibility that Hamas will capture a soldier. It would be a significant achievement that Hamas would exploit in its propaganda messaging.”
— This article includes wire service reports.
• Mike Glenn can be reached at mglenn@washingtontimes.com.