Israel strikes Hamas leadership in Qatar, which had been mediating a ceasefire in Gaza

Israel carried out a strike against Hamas’ senior leadership on Tuesday in Doha, the capital of Qatar, marking a significant escalation in its multifront conflict in the region.

Israel carried out a strike against Hamas’ senior leadership on Tuesday in Doha, the capital of Qatar, marking a significant escalation in its multifront conflict in the region.

There was an immediate political backlash to the attack, with the White House issuing rare public criticism of Israel’s action and several other countries, including regional powerhouse Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, condemning the strike.

A member of Hamas’ political bureau told Al Jazeera that the group’s senior leadership had survived the attack, raising the question of how well it had been planned.

Loud explosions were heard in Doha, and according to video verified by NBC News, smoke was seen over an area that is both residential and home to a number of foreign embassies. Qatar confirmed that a member of its Internal Security Force was killed in the attack and a number of others were injured.

Qatar's Interior Ministry identified the deceased as Cpl. Bader Saad Mohammed Al Humaidi Al Dosari.