The Lebanese newspaper Al-Akhbar reports, citing Egyptian sources, that Israel struck Hamas’s headquarters in Qatar after deciding not to pursue an operation in Turkey, where many Hamas leaders also reside.

Khaled Mashaal, the long-time leader of Hamas who lives in exile in Doha, was at the meeting targeted by Israel, according to Israeli reports. Other Hamas top leaders who were present at the meeting during the strike, include Khalil al-Hayya, Muhammad Darwish and head of Hamas’s Shura Council.

Israel’s brazen attack in Qatar, a key US ally, will be felt across the Middle East, including Iran, experts say.

Having faced its second attack in three months Qatar may now find itself questioning its procurement choices and deterrence strategy.

Turkey says Israel’s strike on Hamas leaders in Qatar shows that Jerusalem is not interested in peace. “The targeting of the Hamas negotiating delegation while ceasefire talks continue shows that Israel does not aim to reach peace, but rather continue the war,” the Turkish Foreign Ministry says in a statement.

Turkey's President Erdogan assured Qatar's Emir of unwavering support following Israel's attack on Hamas in Qatar. During a phone conversation, both leaders discussed potential collaborative measures in response to the incident,