Doha, Qatar –  Israel launched an audacious attack on Hamas leaders in Qatar on Tuesday, expanding 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, which has acted as a mediator alongside Egypt in talks on a ceasefire in the almost two-year-old war in Gaza, condemned the action as ‘cowardly’ and called it a flagrant violation of international law.

Oman voiced solidarity with Qatar, condemning the assault as a violation of international law and a threat to regional stability. In a statement, the Foreign Ministry reaffirmed support for Qatar’s right to confront the aggression and urged the international community to assume its responsibilities in deterring Israel and halting its violations.

Two Hamas sources told Reuters that its officials in the ceasefire negotiating team survived the attack.

Israeli officials told Reuters the strike was aimed at top Hamas leaders, including Khalil al Hayya, its exiled Gaza chief and top negotiator.

Witnesses said several blasts were heard in Doha.

Plumes of black smoke were billowing from the city’s Legtifya petrol station. Next door to the petrol station is a small residential compound that has been guarded by Qatar’s Emiri personnel 24 hours a day since the beginning of the Gaza conflict.

Ambulances and at least 15 police and unmarked government cars thronged the streets around the blast site an hour after the strike.

Qatari foreign ministry spokesperson Majed al Ansari said “the cowardly Israeli attack” targeted residential buildings housing several members of the Hamas political bureau in Doha.

“While strongly condemning this attack, the State of Qatar emphasises that it will not tolerate this reckless and irresponsible Israeli behaviour,” Ansari said on X.

In a statement, the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office said, ‘Today’s action against the top chieftains of Hamas was a wholly independent Israeli operation. Israel initiated it, Israel conducted it, and Israel takes full responsibility.’

The short missive appeared designed to distance the US from the Israeli attack on a critical American ally in the Middle East.

An Israel Defense Forces spokesperson said the operation was called Summit of Fire.