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Türkiye's Foreign Ministry on Tuesday condemned Israel's attack targeting Hamas negotiation teams in Qatar's capital Doha, calling it evidence of Israel's "expansionist policies" and use of "terrorism as state policy."
The Turkish ministry said the strike on Hamas negotiators while ceasefire talks were ongoing demonstrated that Israel "aims to continue the war, not achieve peace."
Israel's military confirmed it conducted what it called a "precise strike" against senior Hamas leadership in Doha on Tuesday, with explosions heard and smoke seen rising over the city's Katara District. The operation was named "Operation Summit of Fire," according to Israeli reports.
Multiple Hamas sources told news agencies that the group's ceasefire negotiation delegation survived the assassination attempt. The Hamas leaders were reportedly meeting to discuss a new U.S. ceasefire proposal when the strike occurred.
The Israeli Prime Minister's Office said on social media platform X that "today's action against the top terrorist chieftains of Hamas was a wholly independent Israeli operation. Israel initiated it, Israel conducted it, and Israel takes full responsibility."
A senior Israeli intelligence official told Axios that "the entire Hamas A-list was in the building" when Israeli bombs struck. Israeli media reported the attack targeted top Hamas leaders including Khalil al-Hayya, the group's Gaza chief, and Zaher Jabareen.
"With this attack, Qatar, which mediates ceasefire negotiations, has been added to the list of countries targeted by Israel in the region," the Turkish ministry said in a statement. "This situation is clear proof that Israel has adopted expansionist policies in the region and terrorism as a state policy."
Qatar's Foreign Ministry strongly condemned what it called a "cowardly Israeli attack" on residential buildings housing Hamas Political Bureau members. Ministry spokesperson Majed al-Ansari said the strike "constitutes a blatant violation of all international laws and norms and poses a serious threat to the security and safety of Qataris and residents in Qatar."
Türkiye said it stands with Qatar "in the face of this cowardly attack targeting its sovereignty and security" and renewed its call for international pressure to stop Israel's "ongoing aggression in Palestine and the region."
The U.S. Embassy in Doha ordered a shelter-in-place for American citizens following the explosions. The UAE's diplomatic advisor Anwar Gargash condemned the "treacherous Israeli attack" and affirmed solidarity with Qatar.
Hamas has used the Qatari capital as a headquarters outside Gaza for years, making it a key location for diplomatic efforts to negotiate ceasefires in the ongoing conflict.
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