‘Israel takes full responsibility’ for Qatari airstrike; fate of Hamas leaders unclear
In his first comments on the airstrikes in Qatar, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel was fully responsible for the operation.
AIF jet fighter: Photo by Anthony Hershko/TPS
“Today’s action against the top terrorist chieftains of Hamas was a wholly independent Israeli operation,” Netanyahu said in a statement. “Israel initiated it, Israel conducted it, and Israel takes full responsibility.”
There were conflicting Arab reports on the fate of Hamas leaders, who were meeting in Doha, Qatar’s capital.
Top leaders who may have been killed were Khalil al-Hayya, who replaced Ismail Haniyeh as Hamas’ chief negotiator; Khaled Mashaal former head of Hamas’ politburo; Zahar Jabarin, who financed the October 7 attack; Musa Abu Marzouk, a senior member of the terror group’s politburo; and Muhammed Darwish, who chaired Hamas’ Shura Council. Hamas has not commented on the fate of its leaders.
However, according to Saudi-owned Al-Arabiya News, Khalil al-Hayya was killed in the strike.
They were reportedly meeting to discuss U.S. President Donald Trump’s latest proposal to end the fighting.
Neither the U.S. nor Israel has officially disclosed the full details of the White House’s proposal. It is believed to call for the immediate release of hostages at once, the freezing of Israel’s expected offensive into Gaza City, and the start of negotiations for a comprehensive end to the Israel-Hamas conflict. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar signaled Jerusalem’s first public acceptance of the White House proposal.
The Families’ Headquarters for the Return of the Abductees expressed “great fear” for the price hostages may pay.
“We know from the survivors of captivity who have returned that the revenge directed against the abductees is cruel. The chance of their return is now more uncertain than ever,” the Families’ Headquarters said. “The price for the 48 abductees may be unbearable. Lives may be murdered at any given moment and the fallen may disappear forever. It is time to end the war.”
The families demanded that the Israeli government present “a structured plan for a comprehensive agreement for the return of the 48 abductees and the abductees.”
Two days ago, U.S. President Donald Trump wrote on his Truth Social account, “I have warned Hamas about the consequences of not accepting,” adding, “This is my last warning, there will not be another one!”
Opposition MK Benny Gantz, a former IDF Chief of Staff, praised the strike.
“We must pursue Hamas terrorists and their leaders everywhere and at all times,” Gantz tweeted. “I commend the political echelon for the decision to carry out the targeted killing and the IDF, Shin Bet, and all security forces for executing the operation. The most important thing now: not to miss opportunities. Leverage the achievements of our fighters to bring back all the hostages and replace Hamas rule in Gaza.”
In Australia, Foreign Minister Senator Penny Wong told Channel 7’s Sunrise program: “We don’t think it was the right thing to do.
Qatar has been working with the United States to try and deliver a ceasefire and the return of hostages,” she said.
“They’ve been tireless in those negotiations, that’s the context in which this strike has occurred.It undermines or potentially damages the possibility of ceasefire and the release of hostages and obviously it risks escalation.”
Approximately 1,200 people were killed, and 252 Israelis and foreigners were taken hostage in Hamas’s attacks on Israeli communities near the Gaza border on October 7. Of the 48 remaining hostages, about 20 are believed to be alive.
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I wonder if anyone has reflected on the similarity between Menachem Begin and the president of today.
After reading all my “ear mark’s” in the book of Daniel Gordon ‘s Jewish Encounters series Menachem Begin’s The Battle for Israel’s Soul, it certainly resonates with me.
Just as well Penny Wong is not running the war. We’d have no hope.