Israel Strike in Doha Marks Major Escalation in Gaza War

A White House official said Tuesday that Israel notified Washington ahead of its strike in Doha targeting senior Hamas leaders.

The Israeli military later confirmed the attack, describing it as an operation against Hamas leadership inside Qatar — a move widely viewed as a dramatic escalation in the Gaza war, which next month enters its third year with no signs of resolution.

Israeli officials told Reuters that the strike was aimed at top Hamas figures, including Khalil al-Hayya, the group’s exiled Gaza chief and chief negotiator. Al-Hayya has risen in prominence since the deaths of Ismail Haniyeh and Yahya Sinwar last year. Hamas officials said al-Hayya’s son was killed in the attack.

Qatar, which has played a central role as mediator in ceasefire talks, denounced the strike as “cowardly” and a blatant violation of international law.