Israel Attempts to Kill Hamas Leadership in Airstrike on Qatar, a Gaza War Mediator

Israel attempted to kill senior members of Hamas in an airstrike on Tuesday in Qatar, a sharp escalation that brought the Mideast war to a close U.S. ally and a primary mediator in trying to end the conflict in Gaza.

The Israeli strike on a Hamas meeting, where the group said its officials were discussing a cease-fire proposal backed by President Trump, threatened to undermine negotiations over the Gaza war. The direct attack on Qatar’s territory also risked antagonizing the Qatari government and destabilizing its diplomatic efforts in the war, particularly because the country’s political and economic stability hinges on its reputation as a haven for business and tourism in a volatile region.

The afternoon attack by Israel’s air force hit an area of the capital, Doha, that is near schools and embassies, sending black smoke billowing into the air.

Read more: New York Times