Israeli Strike on Hamas Leaders Fails as Officials Avoid Attack

An Israeli airstrike targeting senior Hamas leaders in Doha on October 7, 2023, did not achieve its intended outcome, according to reports from various Arab media outlets. The strike reportedly failed because the officials had left their mobile phones, which are used for geolocation, in the targeted building while they went to pray.

Saudi-owned newspaper Asharq Al-Awsat indicated that the Hamas leaders were staying at a different location from the main building hit by the airstrike, which contributed to their survival. The attack was aimed at several high-ranking officials, with Khalil al-Hayya, the acting co-chair of Hamas’ political bureau, identified as the primary target. Other key figures, including Zaher Jabarin, head of Hamas in the West Bank, and political bureau member Nizar Awadallah, were initially believed to be casualties of the operation.

Hamas has denied reports of any leadership losses, although Palestinian media have stated that al-Hayya’s son, Himam, and Jihad Labad, the director of his office, were killed in the strike. The meeting that was disrupted by the attack was reportedly focused on discussing a ceasefire proposal put forward by Steve Witkoff, the U.S. Middle East Envoy. An unnamed senior Qatari official confirmed that attendees had traveled from Turkey for the gathering.

In a statement, an Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesperson emphasized that the military operation was a targeted strike against Hamas leadership. “[These members] have led the terrorist organization’s operations, are directly responsible for the brutal October 7 massacre, and have been orchestrating and managing the war against the State of Israel,” the spokesperson stated.

The IDF did not confirm casualties nor disclose the identities of the targets. However, Channel 12’s Barak Ravid reported that an Israeli official referred to the operation as an “assassination attempt against Hamas officials,” codenamed the “Summit of Fire.”

Despite the operation occurring within the context of U.S.-Qatar relations, reports suggest that U.S. President Trump approved the strike. Washington, however, has refrained from commenting on the incident, with Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt expected to address the media later in the day.

In response to the airstrike, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office sought to clarify that the operation was independently conducted by Israel. “Today’s action against the top terrorist chieftains of Hamas was a wholly independent Israeli operation,” the office stated.

The strike has drawn condemnation from Qatar. A spokesperson for the Qatari Foreign Ministry described the attack as “a flagrant violation of all international laws and norms and a serious threat to the security and safety of Qataris and residents of Qatar.” The statement emphasized that Qatar would not tolerate actions that jeopardize its security and sovereignty, indicating that investigations are underway.

Israeli politicians have praised the operation, with Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich calling it “the correct decision.” He asserted, “Terrorists have no and will have no immunity from the long arm of Israel anywhere in the world.” Opposition Leader Yair Lapid also expressed gratitude towards the Israeli Air Force, IDF, and Shin Bet for their role in the operation.

This incident underscores the ongoing tensions in the region and highlights the complexities involved in military operations against high-profile targets. The international community continues to monitor the situation closely as further developments unfold.