by Our Correspondent in Doha
Explosions rocked Doha, Qatar, today as Israel reportedly carried out an airstrike targeting senior Hamas leaders residing in the Gulf state. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed the operation, calling it a decisive blow against those responsible for orchestrating attacks against Israel, including the October 7, 2023 massacre.
In a joint statement by the IDF and Shin Bet, Israeli forces announced that precision munitions were used to target key members of Hamas’s leadership, citing efforts to minimize civilian casualties. “The members of the leadership who were struck led the terror organization’s activities for years, and are directly responsible for carrying out the October 7 massacre and waging war against the State of Israel,” the statement read.
Though Qatar was not explicitly mentioned, the strike follows widespread reports of explosions in Doha’s heart, where many of Hamas’s top officials—including Khaled Mashaal—have been based. Mashaal, a veteran Hamas leader, was previously targeted in assassination attempts, including in Jordan in 1997.
Operation ‘Day of Judgment’
The strike has been named “Atzeret HaDin” or “Day of Judgment” by Israeli media, alluding to the Jewish holiday Shemini Atzeret and symbolically referencing Hamas’s October 7 incursion into southern Israel. The name is seen as a message of resolve and impending reckoning, coinciding with Israel’s High Holiday season.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, attending a legal hearing earlier in the day, left abruptly citing “an exceptional security matter.” He later consulted with his military secretary, Maj. Gen. Roman Gofman, as reports of the strike spread.
Trump’s Backing and Regional Fallout
Senior Israeli sources confirmed that U.S. President Donald Trump authorized the strike, granting Israel a “green light” to act against Hamas’s political apparatus abroad. Trump’s support marks a significant alignment of U.S. policy with Israel’s ongoing military campaign.
The attack has sparked international concern. The European Union’s foreign policy chief accused certain countries of shielding Israel from sanctions amid increasing violence. Meanwhile, Spain announced bans on Israeli hardline figures Itamar Ben Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, condemning their roles in escalating tensions.
Hamas Claims Responsibility for Jerusalem Attack
Earlier reports confirmed that Hamas’s military wing, the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, claimed responsibility for a deadly attack in Jerusalem yesterday that left six people dead. The group identified the attackers as Muhammad Taha and Muthanna Amro, though details regarding planning and logistics remain scarce.
A Turning Point in the Conflict
With much of Hamas’s leadership in Gaza already decimated since October 2023, this strike marks one of the most significant blows to the group’s external political network. Qatar, along with Egypt, has long served as a mediator between Israel and Hamas, making the attack a potentially destabilizing move in regional diplomacy.
As tensions rise, the international community watches closely, wary of further escalation. Israel signals readiness to end hostilities swiftly if peace terms, reportedly brokered by Trump’s administration, are accepted. Whether Hamas will agree remains uncertain.
