On Tuesday, a series of explosions occurred at a residential area in the northern outskirts of Doha, the capital of Qatar, coinciding with Israel’s announcement of its attempts to strike senior Hamas officials using advanced munitions.
The Wall Street Journal disclosed that over ten Israeli fighter jets launched missiles from outside the airspace of Qatar. Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, acknowledged the operation during a statement on Tuesday.
As reported by Israeli army radio, the objective of the strike was to target high-ranking Hamas figures, including Khalil al-Hayya, the organization’s chief in Gaza. Qatari network Al Jazeera, referencing a Hamas source, indicated that the assault was directed specifically at members engaged in negotiations for a ceasefire regarding Gaza.
Witnesses informed Reuters of hearing several blasts throughout the city.
A member of Hamas’s political bureau, Suhail al-Hindi, stated in a televised interview with Al Jazeera that the group’s senior leadership managed to avoid harm in the attack on Doha. However, it was reported that the son of Hamas’s exiled Gaza leader Khalil al-Hayya was killed, along with five additional “lower-ranking members” of Hamas.
Qatar has played a crucial role as a mediator in the ongoing talks between Israel and Hamas, significantly contributing to efforts aimed at establishing a ceasefire and facilitating the release of hostages.
The developments from this incident influenced global financial markets. Following the news, oil prices rose, with Brent crude increasing by 97 cents, or 1.5 percent, reaching $66.99 per barrel by 13:21 GMT, after peaking at $67.27 during the session.
Meanwhile, US West Texas Intermediate crude also saw a rise of 92 cents, or 1.5 percent, reaching $63.18 after a high of $63.52. These increases were compounded by earlier upward trends attributed to a smaller-than-anticipated OPEC+ production boost, China’s ongoing oil stockpiling, and apprehensions regarding possible new sanctions on Russia.