Israel has just carried out a precision strike on the Hamas delegation in Doha in an operation dubbed the ‘Summit of Fire’.
Several reports in Israeli media are saying the attack was coordinated – in advance – with the US, and Donald Trump gave ‘the green light’ personally.
Yet, Benjamin Netanyahu’s office has released a statement, stressing that the it was ‘wholly independent Israeli operation,’ but there is still no word from the White House.
He said: ‘Israel initiated it, conducted it, and Israel takes full responsibility.’
Who was inside the building bombed by Israel?
Those present at the meeting are understood to be Khalil al Hayya, Khaled Mashaal, Muhammad Darwish, Razi Hamad and Izzat al-Rishq.
Senior Hamas official have reportedly said the group’s leadership, including Al-Hayya – who is the chief Hamas negotiator – survived Israeli strike.
Al-Hayya has become an increasingly central figure in the leadership of the Palestinian militant group since both Ismail Haniyeh and Yahya Sinwar were assassinated last year.
They were invited to Doha as representatives to discuss the US proposal, which according to one Israeli official, called for the release of all 48 hostages on the first day of the ceasefire.
With the strike, Israel has expanded its military actions that have ranged across the Middle East to include the Gulf Arab state where the Palestinian Islamist group has long had its political base.
Qatar condemned the action as ‘cowardly’ and called it a flagrant violation of international law, while the United Arab Emirates describing it as ‘treacherous’.
Saudi Crown prince Mohammad bin Salman also condemned the ‘criminal act’ by Israel in call with Qatari Emir Tamim bin Hamad.
Footage circulating on social media shows the bombed building where the negotiations over the US president’s proposal for a ceasefire in Gaza are understood to be ongoing.
Smoke is still rising above Doha, a city which has acted as a mediator – alongside Egypt – in talks on a ceasefire in the almost two-year-old war in Gaza.
The US embassy in the Qatari capital has put out an order for any of its citizens to take shelter.
A statement said: ‘We have seen reports of missile strikes occurring in Doha.
‘US citizens are advised to shelter-in-place and monitor [our] social media for updates.’
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