Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has publicly claimed full and sole responsibility for a dramatic attack on senior Hamas leaders in Doha, Qatar. In a bold statement on social media platform X, Netanyahu wrote, “Israel initiated it, Israel carried it out and Israel takes full responsibility,” following a series of explosions in the Qatari capital.
The attack targeted key figures in Hamas’s political leadership, who have long been based in the Gulf state. The timing was particularly sensitive, as these same leaders were meeting to consider a ceasefire deal. Reports suggest the operation was approved by the United States, with an Israeli news channel claiming President Donald Trump personally “gave the green light” for the strike to proceed.
The Israeli military supported the Prime Minister’s stance, stating that the operation was necessary to eliminate leaders who orchestrated the October 7th massacre and have been managing the war. They emphasized that precision intelligence and munitions were used to mitigate collateral damage. Among those reportedly targeted were Khalil al-Hayya and Zaher Jabarin, who are part of the group’s highest decision-making body.
The attack has been met with fierce condemnation from Qatar, which labeled it a “flagrant violation” of international law. As the host of the now-imperiled peace talks, Qatar’s role as a mediator has been severely compromised. The strike by the Netanyahu government effectively upends the negotiation table, signaling a preference for decisive military action at a critical juncture for diplomacy.
