Israel strikes Hamas leadership in Doha, Qatar
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More news: Israel launched strikes against Hamas leaders in Doha, Qatar, on Tuesday.
The Israel Defense Forces said via X that it and the Israeli Security Agency conducted a “precise strike” targeting senior leadership of the Hamas.
“For years, these members of the Hamas leadership 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 post reads.
The IDF said that measures were taken in order to mitigate harm to civilians and that the IDF and ISA will continue to “operate with determination in order to defeat the Hamas terrorist organization responsible for the October 7 massacre.”
A spokesperson for Qatar's foreign ministry, Dr Majed Al Ansar, condemned the attack, the BBC reports, stating that the strike hit a residential premises "where a number of members of Hamas' political bureau reside in the Qatari capital, Doha". He said the attack constitutes a "blatant violation" of international laws as well as a "serious threat" to those in Qatar.
It is not yet clear whether anyone was killed in the strikes.
Oil rose after reports of the attack, spurring fears of a wider Middle East conflict that could increase the risk premium for crude. West Texas Intermediate climbed 1.5% to top USD63 ($95.5) a barrel.
Israel orders full evacuation of Gaza City
The news: The Israeli military ordered all residents of Gaza City to evacuate on Tuesday, as it pushes ahead with plans to take full control of the Gaza strip’s largest city.
The context: Israel dropped leaflets across the city on Tuesday ordering residents to leave immediately, marking the first time the military has told the entire city to evacuate.
The Israeli military’s Arabic spokesperson Avichay Adraee said via X: “To all residents of Gaza City and all its neighborhoods, from the Old City and Tuffah in the east to the sea in the west. The IDF is determined to defeat Hamas and will operate in the Gaza City area with great force, just as it did throughout the Strip.”
“For your safety, evacuate immediately via the Rashid axis toward the humanitarian zone in Al-Mawasi,” he added.
The leaflets carrying the message also showed maps directing residents across Gaza to travel westward to the coast before heading south.
On Monday, Israeli Prime Minister told residents to evacuate Gaza City, saying that “this is only the beginning of the intensified ground manoeuvre in Gaza City.” The comments follow an intensification of Israeli bombardment of the city in recent days, with several high-rise buildings being destroyed.
Israel’s offensive has drawn significant international criticism from traditional allies of the country including Australia, the UK and France.
Netanyahu on Monday threatened to retaliate over the deadliest incident in the country in almost one year as six people were killed in a shooting attack in Jerusalem.
The numbers: According to local health officials, Israeli forces have killed more than 64,000 Palestinians since the outbreak of the conflict in October 2023.
The sources: FT, Reuters, Avichay Adraee X
