Al-Hindi: Hamas Leaders Survive Israeli Assassination Attempt in Doha
Israeli strike kills aides and relatives of Khalil al-Hayya but fails to eliminate Hamas negotiation team; Doha vows to defend its security.
Qatar, PUREWILAYAH.COM - Suhail al-Hindi, member of Hamas’ Political Bureau, told Al Jazeera that the Israeli bombing struck during a meeting of the negotiating team to discuss the US proposal for a Gaza ceasefire.
“The movement’s leadership survived the cowardly assassination attempt,” he said, confirming that several martyrs, led by Jihad Labad, were killed in the attack.
Al-Hindi emphasized that the strike, which targeted senior leaders in Doha, would not weaken the movement’s resolve.
Operation Peak of Fire
The Israeli occupation military, working with its Shin Bet security agency, claimed responsibility for the attack, which it said targeted Hamas’ senior leadership.
Israeli Channel 12, citing military sources, confirmed the strike was aimed specifically at the negotiating delegation.
Reuters correspondents in Doha reported loud explosions and plumes of smoke over the Katara district following the bombardment.
Casualties Among Aides and Family
While all targeted leaders emerged unharmed, the attack killed several aides and family members of Dr. Khalil al-Hayya, head of the negotiating team.
Confirmed martyrs include:
Jihad Lubad – head of Khalil al-Hayya’s office
Hammam al-Hayya – son of Khalil al-Hayya
Abdullah Abdulwahid – aide
Moamen Hassouna – aide
Ahmad Abdulmalik – aide
Palestinian Resistance Affairs expert Hani al-Dali described the failed assassination attempt as further proof of the leadership’s resilience in the face of coordinated Israeli-US aggression.
Qatar’s Strong Response
The Qatari Foreign Ministry condemned the airstrike as a blatant violation of sovereignty and a direct threat to the safety of citizens and residents.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Majed Al-Ansari stressed: “Qatar will not tolerate any act undermining its security and sovereignty.”
Qatari security forces, civil defense, and emergency services were immediately deployed to secure the area and manage the aftermath.
US Green Light
Israeli Channel 12 reported that US President Donald Trump authorized the operation, with Washington maintaining control over Qatari airspace and requiring Israel to coordinate such actions.
Trump reportedly bypassed traditional mediators Qatar and Egypt, delivering a new proposal via his envoy Steve Witkoff.
Defiance Despite Repeated Attempts
Hamas reiterated its commitment to the August 18 ceasefire framework, calling for a permanent truce, complete withdrawal of occupation forces from Gaza, unrestricted humanitarian aid, and a genuine prisoner exchange.
The movement stressed that this was not the first time its leadership had been targeted, and that Israel had consistently failed to eliminate its political leadership over decades of conflict.
“We have dedicated our lives to God and to our cause. No assassination attempt—past, present, or future—will end our struggle,” a senior Hamas official said. (PW)