Intelligence about a meeting of senior Hamas figures for internal discussions was obtained by the Shin Bet security agency, prompting the Israeli Air Force to prepare for Israel's dramatic strike in Doha, the capital of Qatar.
At the same time, top political and military leaders held urgent discussions about the implications of an Israeli strike in Qatar, where Hamas leaders had been staying for an extended period, feeling safe under Qatari protection.
Qatar has long played the role of mediator between Israel and Hamas, but in practice represented Hamas' interests and, according to officials familiar with the matter, often obstructed negotiations. Israel informed the US before carrying out the strike.
The Israeli Air Force dropped about 15 precision bombs on the building where Hamas leaders were gathered. Once again, the Air Force demonstrated its ability to prepare within days for a long-range strike, some 1,800 kilometers (1,120 miles) from Israeli territory, at a site never targeted before, and to hit the objective with accuracy.
According to officials, the operation was part of closing the circle against Hamas leaders who helped plan the October 7 massacre. As the Shin Bet stated at the start of the war, Israel will reach Hamas leaders wherever they are.
