Israel used weapons in the attack on Qatar that were not detected by radar, Doha authorities announced. The bombardment was also facilitated by the delay in the warning sent by the United States.
The Israeli military announced that it used „precision ammunition and additional information” in the attack on Qatar. Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al Thani, the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Qatar, stated that Israel used weapons that were not detected by radar, without providing details.
Qatar possesses a significant arsenal of air defense systems, including Patriot batteries manufactured in the USA, and Terminal High Altitude Area Defense - or THAAD batteries. However, it appears that the air defense was not engaged during the attack, as reported by Sky News.
The United States claims to have informed Doha before the attack, a statement contradicted by the authorities of the emirate. "The US informed us 10 minutes after the attack took place that they had just received a message that an attack, a missile launched at the state of Qatar, was happening," stated Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman. He described the attack as "a 100% perfidious operation" and "state terrorism."
Two Israeli sources cited by Sky News say that Israel intentionally transmitted a last-minute warning to the United States about the attack, knowing that the US would immediately notify Qatar about the impending attack.
Qatar, which hosts the largest American base in the region, has hosted Hamas' political office since 2012, with the approval of the United States. It is also a crucial ally of the USA in the region and has a major American military presence.
Witnesses quoted by Reuters reported hearing several explosions in the city, with thick smoke rising from the Katara district. The district is known for its cultural center and restaurants frequented by tourists, as reported by The Guardian.
Doubts about the Success of the Operation
The Israeli attack also targeted Hamas' chief negotiator, Khalil al-Hayya, but the organization did not include him among the victims. Hamas announced that the attack failed to assassinate its delegation of negotiators.
Here are the names of the victims, as communicated by Hamas:
- Humam al-Hayya (Abu Yahya) - son of chief negotiator Khalil al-Hayya
- Jihad Labad (Abu Bilal) - director of al-Hayya's office
- Abdullah Abdul Wahid (Abu Khalil)
- Moamen Hassouna (Abu Omar)
- Ahmed al-Mamluk (Abu Malik)
- Badr Saad Mohammed al-Humaidi - corporal in Qatar's Internal Security Forces
US President Donald Trump stated yesterday that he is "very unhappy with every aspect" of the attack. Trump was informed by the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Dan Caine, according to an American official cited by CNN. Trump then informed US envoy Steve Witkoff, who in turn notified the Qataris.
It is an incredibly convoluted way to convey an important message between the US and Israeli governments, especially due to the seemingly close relationship between Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as noted by the American TV station.
On the other hand, the Israeli army chief and the head of Israeli intelligence have questioned the timing of the attack on Doha, according to Israeli sources cited by CNN. They said that Israeli Defense Forces Chief Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir and Mossad Chief David Barnea supported the plan to target Hamas leaders abroad but had doubts about launching the attack from Doha due to the US's new attempt to resume negotiations.
The attack took place just days after the United States presented a new ceasefire proposal to end the war in Gaza and at a time when Qatar was pressuring Hamas to accept the agreement.
Israel knew that the Hamas negotiating team was in Doha specifically to discuss the US proposal, said two sources, indicating that Israel used this opportunity to launch the attack.
The sources stated that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz chose to launch the attack despite reservations expressed by Zamir and Barnea.
In fact, Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations Danny Danon justified the strike, stating that "Israel does not always act in consideration of its American ally's interests."
"We don't always act according to US interests. We coordinate (with Washington), they (Americans) provide us with incredible support, we appreciate this, but sometimes we make decisions and inform the US," Danon stated on Israeli radio station 103 FM. Tuesday's Israeli strike on Doha "was not an attack against Qatar, it was an attack against Hamas," and "this decision was the right one," added the ambassador cited by BBC.
Israel Threatens, Qatar Seeks to Retaliate
Despite widespread international criticism of the attack on Qatar, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz warned on Wednesday morning that Israel's "long arm" will "act anywhere against its enemies," as reported by the BBC. "There is no place for Hamas to hide," he said.
"Anyone who was a partner in the massacre on October 7 will be held fully accountable. Anyone who practices terrorism against Israel will be struck," Katz emphasized.
He stated that if Hamas does not accept Israel's conditions for ending the war, then they will be "annihilated," and Gaza "will be destroyed."
Qatar's Prime Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, stated, however, that his country "reserves the right" to respond to Israel's "flagrant attack," which he calls a "crucial moment" for the region. "There must be a response from the entire region to such barbaric actions," he said at a press conference, according to the BBC.
Diplomacy in Crisis
Ceasefire negotiations are now in question, as noted by Sky News.
Doha has played a mediating role between Israel and Hamas and has pressured the militant group to "positively respond" to the latest US ceasefire proposal.
However, following the attack on its capital, Qatari leader Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al Thani condemned his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu for "dragging the region to a place where, unfortunately, it cannot be repaired."
When asked if ceasefire talks will continue, Sheikh Mohammed stated that after the attack, "I don't think there is anything valid" in the current discussions. But he avoided saying that his country will cease its mediation efforts, adding that "we will do everything we can to stop this war."
Hamas Accuses
Just before the attack on Qatar, Hamas described the US proposal as a "humiliating surrender document," but stated that it would discuss the proposal and respond within a few days.
After the attack on Qatar, Hamas stated that the attack shows that Netanyahu and his government "do not want to reach any agreement and deliberately seek to thwart all opportunities." The organization holds the United States responsible for the attack.
Egypt, another key mediator, also condemned the attack, stating that it targeted Palestinian leaders who had met "to discuss ways to reach a ceasefire agreement."
Fear in Israel
Meanwhile, in Israel, the main group representing the families of hostages expressed "deep concern and great fear" after the attack.
"The chance to bring them back now faces greater uncertainty than ever, with one thing absolutely certain - their time is running out," said the Forum for Hostages and Missing Families in a statement.
"A serious fear now hangs over the price the hostages could pay," the signatories warn. "The price for the 48 hostages could be unbearable. The living hostages could be killed at any moment, and the deceased could disappear forever," the document cited by Sky News further states.
The group is asking the Israeli government to present "an organized plan for a comprehensive agreement to recover all 48 hostages".