Israel has launched a strike targeting Hamas' leadership in Qatar, officials say, further widening its campaign against the militant group, as negotiations over ending the war in the Gaza Strip appears stalemated before a new military offensive there.
Black smoke rose over the skyline of the Qatari capital, Doha, with authorities there acknowledging the strike on Tuesday.
It wasn't immediately clear if anyone was hurt in the attack, marking the second time the energy-rich nation has been directly attacked in the nearly two years of war that have gripped the wider Middle East since Hamas' attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023.
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It wasn't immediately clear how the attack was carried out, though an Israeli military spokesman Colonel Avichay Adraee referred to Israel's air force carrying out the strike.
A senior Israeli official told CNN that among those targeted was Hamas' chief negotiator Khalil Al-Hayya.
"We are awaiting the results of the strike," the official said.
Qatar Airways planes continued landing in Doha amid the strike, even as at least one Qatari air force aircraft took off on patrol over the country.
Israeli officials have sent mixed messages throughout the war, relying on Qatari mediation while also questioning its willingness to put pressure on Hamas.
In a statement after the attack, which didn't specifically name Qatar, Israel's military said Hamas' leaders were "directly responsible for the brutal October 7th massacre, and have been orchestrating and managing the war against the State of Israel".
The Israelis said it used "precise munitions and additional intelligence" in the strike, without elaborating. An Israeli official, speaking to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity to discuss details beyond the statement, confirmed that the Israelis targeted Hamas in Qatar.
Shortly after the explosion in Qatar, the IDF issued a statement saying it had targeted "senior leadership" of Hamas with "a precise strike" in a joint operation with the Shin Bet security agency.
Qatar condemned what it referred to as a "cowardly Israeli attack" on Hamas' political headquarters in Doha.
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Foreign Ministry spokesman Majed al-Ansari called it a "flagrant violation of all international laws and norms".
"[Qatar] confirms that it will not tolerate this reckless Israeli behavior and the ongoing disruption of regional security, nor any act that targets its security and sovereignty," al-Ansari said.
The US Embassy in Qatar said that it had "instituted a shelter-in-place order for their facilities".
"US citizens are advised to shelter-in-place," it added.
Qatar twice attacked during Middle East wars
Qatar's vast Al-Udeid Air Base, home to the US military's forward headquarters for its Middle East-based Central Command, came under Iranian attack during the 12-day Iran-Israel war that saw American bombers attack Iranian nuclear sites.
Flights from Australia were affected by the closure of airspace after that attack, which Qatar condemned but said it successfully intercepted the missiles.
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Earlier this week, US President Donald Trump said that he was giving his "last warning" to Hamas regarding a possible ceasefire, as Arab officials described a new US proposal.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Tuesday it was his nation's decision to carry out the strike.
"Israel initiated it, Israel conducted it and Israel takes full responsibility," Netanyahu said in a statement.
An Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesperson said the operation was called "Summit of Fire."
It remains unclear what regional reaction will come from the strike.
Immediately afterward, Emirati Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan wrote online: "Full solidarity with our dear Qatar".
That comes as the United Arab Emirates already has warned Israel its possible annexation of the West Bank threatened the Abraham Accords, an agreement by which Abu Dhabi normalised relations with Israel five years ago.
Arab officials say there is a new US proposal for a ceasefire. A senior Hamas official called it a "humiliating surrender document" but the militant group said that it would discuss the proposal and respond within days.
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The proposal, presented by Trump's Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, calls for a negotiated end of the war and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza once the hostages are released and a ceasefire is established, according to Egyptian and Hamas officials familiar with the talks, who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity to discuss the closed-door discussions.
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