Israel will try again to kill Hamas leaders abroad if any survived Tuesday’s airstrike in Doha, the Israeli ambassador to the United States said, sharpening rhetoric after a raid that drew global censure and raised fears for ceasefire talks in Gaza. “If we didn’t get them this time, we’ll get them the next time,” Ambassador Yechiel Leiter told Fox News after the attack, a quote also carried by Israeli media.
Israel’s strike in Qatar — a key mediator in Gaza negotiations — targeted senior Hamas figures and damaged a site near a guarded residential compound, according to officials and witnesses, prompting condemnation from Doha. Hamas said top leaders survived while acknowledging fatalities among members, including a son of senior official Khalil al-Hayya. Washington signaled the operation did not advance U.S. or Israeli interests, amid concern it could derail talks.
Regional fallout intensified on Wednesday as the UAE’s President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed made an unannounced visit to Doha; Jordan’s Crown Prince Hussein was also due, with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman expected Thursday — a coordinated show of solidarity with Qatar, sources said.
Israel also struck targets in Yemen’s Houthi-controlled capital, Sanaa, witnesses and Houthi media said, days after earlier attacks that killed senior Houthi officials. Residents said Wednesday’s strikes appeared to hit a defense-related site; Israeli outlets reported IDF activity, while immediate official comment was limited.
In Europe, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said she will propose sanctioning “extremist” Israeli ministers and partially suspending trade preferences under the EU–Israel agreement — a sign of hardening EU scrutiny, even as member-state consensus remains uncertain.