Netanyahu: Israel Conducted 'Wholly Independent' Strike Against Hamas Leadership
While Netanyahu and Israeli ministers praised Tuesday's strike in Doha, a mother of a hostage held in Gaza said the prime minister 'has actually assassinated my Matan'
Israel carried out an airstrike on Hamas leadership in Doha, Qatar, on Tuesday, reportedly hitting the group's headquarters while officials reportedly met to discuss a Gaza cease-fire and hostage deal.
Explosions were heard in the Katara Village district, with smoke rising over the city, according to local witnesses and Reuters.
The Israeli military confirmed the strike targeted Hamas' senior leadership, accused of orchestrating the October 7 attacks and directing ongoing operations against Israel. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu took full responsibility, calling the operation "wholly Israeli."
"Today's action against the top terrorist chieftains of Hamas was a wholly independent Israeli operation," the Prime Minister's Office said in a statement, "Israel initiated it, Israel conducted it, and Israel takes full responsibility."
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Following the strike, Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz released a statement explaining that the preparations for the attack began on Monday, following a deadly shooting attack in Jerusalem.
Netanyahu and Katz "decided to carry out the instruction given last night to the IDF and the Shin Bet [security service]," the statement read. The strikes were carried out "This afternoon in light of an operational opportunity."
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich praised the strike, saying terrorists "will have no immunity anywhere in the world."
Einav Zangauker, mother of Matan, held hostage by Hamas in Gaza, said she feared the strike could have killed her son and accused Netanyahu of jeopardizing a potential deal. She wrote, "I am trembling with fear. It could be that at this very moment, the prime minister has actually assassinated my Matan. Whoever decides to deliberately endanger my child's life is committing murder. Why does he insist on blowing every chance at a deal? This is my child's life! My Matan's life is hanging in the balance! End this war already and bring everyone back in a comprehensive agreement!"
Opposition Leader Yair Lapid urged the government to explain whether the Israeli strike on Hamas officials in Doha endangered the hostages held in Gaza.
"Hamas members are bound to die," Lapid said, "but at this point the Israeli government needs to explain how the IDF's action will not lead to the killing of the hostages, and whether the risk to the hostages' lives was taken into account in the decision to take action."
He added, "We can't wait any longer. We need to end the war and bring them home."