Following explosions in the Qatari capital of Doha, the IDF today announced that it carried out "a precise strike targeting the senior leadership of the Hamas terrorist organization."
"For years, these members of the Hamas leadership have led the terrorist organization's operations, are directly responsible for the brutal October 7 massacre, and have been orchestrating and managing the war against the State of Israel."
Explosions seen in Doha, Qatar.
The strike reportedly targeted Khalil al-Hayya, Khalid Mashaal, and other senior Hamas officials, although their deaths have not yet been confirmed.
The strike took place just two days after President Trump issued his "last warning" to Hamas, urging the terror group to accept the hostage-ceasefire deal already accepted by Israel.
Prime Minister Netanyahu said: "Today's action against the top terrorist chieftains of Hamas was a wholly independent Israeli operation. Israel initiated it, Israel conducted it, and Israel takes full responsibility."
Israeli President Isaac Herzog and Opposition Leader Yair Lapid also praised the operation.
Senator Tom Cotton (R-AR) said,"Hamas has the blood of American citizens on their hands and should have no safe harbor. Israel has every right to hunt these terrorists down," and Senator John Fetterman (D-PA) posted a meme supporting Israel's operation.
Hamas officials reportedly targeted today met on Thursday with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, in what may be the last picture of them alive.
The strike took place in Qatar, which has long been one of Hamas' key sponsors, providing the terror group with significant funding and a safe haven for its leadership.
Hamas' leaders have spent years living in luxury in Qatar, amassing fortunes worth billions of dollars. These leaders in Qatar celebrated the October 7 massacre (as shown below) and are responsible for the deaths of countless Israelis and Americans.
Hamas leaders prayed as the group's terrorists massacred and tortured Israelis on October 7, watching safely from their luxury residences in Qatar.
IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir said while authorizing the operation:
"These are the terrorists whose only aspiration was to be the spearhead for the destruction of the State of Israel. We will continue to carry out this mission everywhere, at any range, near and far, in order to settle accounts with our enemies.
"We are settling a moral and ethical account on behalf of all the victims of October 7. We will not rest and we will not be silent until we bring back our hostages and defeat Hamas."
Hamas could end the war today if it would lay down its arms, release the hostages, and surrender. Instead, it is prolonging the suffering of Israelis and Palestinians alike.
The United States must increase the pressure on Hamas and its sponsors in Qatar, Turkey and Iran to release all the hostages.
IDF urges evacuation of Gaza City
The IDF today for the first time issued an evacuation order for the whole of Gaza City, urging Gazan civilians to leave ahead of major ground operations there.
“Remaining in the area is extremely dangerous," the IDF's Arabic-language spokesperson Col. Avichay Adraee said.
The Israeli Air Force is carrying out intensive airstrikes in Gaza City, preparing the way for ground troops to move in.
Meanwhile, four IDF soldiers were killed in a Hamas attack on an army encampment on the outskirts of Gaza City yesterday
The terrorists threw an explosive device into a tank near the entrance of the base, killing the four soldiers, the IDF said.
IDF soldiers Lt. Matan Abramovitz, 21, Staff Sgt. Uri Lamed, 20, Sgt. Amit Arye Regev, 19 and Sgt. Gadi Cotal, 20.
May their memories be blessing.
Iran-IAEA negotiations ongoing ahead of snapback
Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) signed a new cooperation framework agreement today in Egypt.
IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi called it "an important step in the right direction."
Meanwhile, the process of reimposing snapback sanctions on Iran at the United Nations is continuing, with Security Council chair South Korea taking the next procedural step yesterday.
The United States must ensure that the process to snapback sanctions is followed through to completion and continue to lead the international community in increasing the pressure on the Iranian regime.
Kidnapped Israeli freed from Iraq
Israeli-Russian Elizabeth Tsurkov, who was kidnapped while in Iraq by Katai'b Hezbollah, has been freed, President Trump said today:
"I am pleased to report that Elizabeth Tsurkov, a Princeton Student, whose sister is an American Citizen, was just released by Kata’ib Hezbollah (MILITANT Hezbollah), and is now safely in the American Embassy in Iraq after being tortured for many months. I will always fight for JUSTICE, and never give up. HAMAS, RELEASE THE HOSTAGES, NOW!"
Tsurkov had been held hostage for about two years.
Israel strikes Hezbollah targets in Lebanon
The IDF yesterday struck several Hezbollah terror targets in Lebanon’s Beqaa Valley.
"The storage of weapons and the activities of the Hezbollah terrorist organization at these sites constitute a blatant violation of the understandings between Israel and Lebanon and constitute a threat to the State of Israel," the IDF said.
On Friday, the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) presented its plan to the Lebanese government to disarm Hezbollah. But the Lebanese government only "welcomed" the plan, and did not formally vote to approve it, and serious questions remain as to whether Lebanon possesses the willingness or capabilities to follow through.
The United States must increase the pressure on Lebanon to follow through on its commitments and ensure Hezbollah is fully disarmed.
Continue to follow AIPAC on social media for the latest updates, and click on the buttons below my signature to read and share new AIPAC materials that compile the answers to many of the most hostile myths that have been used against Israel, AIPAC, and the U.S.-Israel relationship.
Sincerely,
Jake Braunstein
Director of Policy Communications
MUST WATCH
AIPAC 101
Watch and share this new video laying out who we are and what we do!
The mission of AIPAC is to encourage and persuade the U.S. government to enact specific policies that create a strong, enduring and mutually beneficial relationship with our ally Israel.
