Israel carried out strike at Hamas political headquarters in Qatar capital city Doha on Tuesday. Qatar condemned what it referred to as a "cowardly Israeli attack". Foreign Ministry spokesman Majed al-Ansari called it a "flagrant violation of all international laws and norms." This comes barely months after Qatar's vast Al-Udeid Air Base, home to the US military's forward headquarters for its Middle East-based Central Command, came under Iranian attack during the 12-day Iran-Israel war that saw American bombers attack Iranian nuclear sites. After these attacks, there are apprehensions whether Qatar, the oil-rich Gulf country considered as an energy, investment and media powerhouse and an influential diplomatic power-broker, is becoming soft-target state in the middle-east.

Israel Strikes Qatar, Doha

Israel launched a strike targeting Hamas' leadership in Qatar on Tuesday, officials said, further widening its campaign against the militant group as negotiations over ending the war in the Gaza Strip appears stalemated before a new military offensive there.

Black smoke rose over the skyline of the Qatari capital, Doha, with authorities there acknowledging the strike. It wasn't immediately clear if anyone was hurt in the attack, marking the second time the energy-rich nation has been directly attacked in the nearly two years of war that have gripped the wider Middle East since Hamas' attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023.

It wasn't immediately clear how the attack was carried out, though an Israeli military spokesman referred to Israel's air force carrying out the strike. Qatar Airways continued landing in Doha amid the strike, even as at least one Qatari air force aircraft took off on patrol over the country.

Qatar in Middle-East

While Qatar is looking to diversify its economy away from hydrocarbons, the nation remains reliant on gas revenue for the majority of the government's income.

However, the Gulf Arab state has used a complex web of friendships nurtured by its gas riches to become a go-to mediator in global diplomacy, hosting both the Middle East's biggest U.S. airbase while opening its doors to Islamists and forging ties with Iran. Employing wide-ranging political ties, it has helped to free hostages and secure peace agreements from Sudan to Somalia.

Qatar with Hamas, Israel

Qatar opened its doors to leaders of Hamas, the Palestinian militant group that rules the Gaza Strip. Doha also played a role in ceasefire negotiations between Hamas and Israel earlier. Earlier, Qatar helped Gaza pay its fuel bills and has provided humanitarian aid.

At the same time, in a sign of Doha's pragmatism, Qatar has authorised direct flights between Tel Aviv and Doha during the FIFA World Cup 2022 despite having no formal relations with Israel. A Qatari official then said the agreement on flights is part of Qatar's commitment to FIFA's hosting requirements and "should not be politicised".

Between 10,000 and 20,000 Israelis attended the month-long soccer event in the Gulf emirate, an unprecedented influx after years in which it admitted only low-key delegates.

FAQs

Q1. What is capital of Qatar?
A1. Capital of Qatar is Doha.

Q2. What is Hamas?
A2. Hamas is the Palestinian militant group that rules the Gaza Strip.