Israel carries out strike on senior Hamas leaders in Qatari capital

The Israeli army says it has carried out an assassination attempt on top Hamas leaders in Qatar’s capital, Doha, where multiple explosions have been heard.

A Hamas source tells Al Jazeera the attack happened as a negotiating team was discussing a Gaza ceasefire proposal put forward by the United States.

Mustafa Barghouti, secretary-general of the Palestinian National Initiative, says the Israeli attack on Doha represents a “turning point that will have dangerous implications” for the region.

“This operation is against Qatar, which is leading the mediation efforts, and against the Hamas leadership that is discussing the American proposal,” Barghouti said. “Is there worse shamelessness?”

He added that the strikes show that Israel is not interested in a ceasefire agreement and is determined to carry on with its genocide and ethnic cleansing plans in Gaza.

The US embassy in Qatar has cancelled security alerts for its personnel in Doha following Israel’s attack.

“US Embassy Doha has lifted all restrictions on its personnel. US citizens are advised that the previous security alert is no longer in effect and the shelter-in-place has been lifted,” the embassy said in a social media post.

The Syria Foreign Ministry says the strikes on Doha reflect Israel’s disregard for international laws and norms.

“Syria expresses its strong condemnation of the Israeli aggression targeting the Qatari capital, Doha, and affirms its full solidarity with the State of Qatar, its leadership, government and people,” the ministry said.

Hours earlier, the Qatari Foreign Ministry condemned yesterday’s Israeli strikes on Syria.