MBABANE:Israel attacked Hamas leaders hiding in Qatar in an attack that threatens peace and stability in the Middle East, Aljazeera reported on Tuesday.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office confirmed that the Israeli military carried out the attack in Doha on Tuesday against Hamas leaders.
It was the first attack by Israel on Qatar, which has been a key mediator in ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas and hosts the region’s largest United States military base, Al Udeid airbase.
The Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned “in the strongest terms the cowardly Israeli attack”.
In its first official statement after the strikes in Doha, Hamas says the Israeli attack aimed to scuttle the ceasefire and prisoner exchange talks.
The group also confirmed that its top leaders survived the assassination attempt while six others, including the son of its Gaza chief Khalil al-Hayya and one of his aides, as well as a Qatari officer, were killed.
“This once again reveals the criminal nature of the occupation and its desire to undermine any chances of reaching an agreement,” Hamas said.
Israel attacks Hamas leaders hiding in Qatar, threatening peace and stability in the Middle East(pic: Aljazeera video).