In a bold and unprecedented operation in Doha, Qatar, Israel has confirmed that it attempted to assassinate senior Hamas officials. The strike, reportedly codenamed "Peak of Fire," targeted a meeting of high-ranking leaders of the terror organization. Israeli officials are awaiting confirmed reports but believe the targets were "significantly hit and may have been eliminated."
Conflicting reports from various sources have made it difficult to confirm the results of the strike. The Saudi-owned news channel Al Arabiya reported that four senior Hamas officials were killed: Khalil al-Hayya, Zaher Jabarin, Khaled Mashaal, and Nizar Awadallah. However, other sources claim that Mashaal was not at the meeting, and a separate report disputes that al-Hayya was killed, stating that he was not present, though members of his family and an assistant were wounded or killed in the attack. The strike reportedly hit four residential buildings.
Other names have also been mentioned in connection with the attack, including Musa Abu Marzouk, Hossam Badran, and Taher al-Nunu. The strike marks a significant escalation, as it targets officials in Qatar, a country that has served as a key mediator in negotiations. The operation also echoes a previous failed attempt by Israel to assassinate Khaled Mashaal in Jordan in 1997, where he was saved by an antidote provided by Israel.
The targeted individuals are a mix of key military, financial, and political figures within Hamas. Many of them, including Khalil al-Hayya, Nizar Awadallah, and Zaher Jabarin, were involved in the planning of the October 7 massacre. Others, like Mashaal, have long led the organization's political wing abroad. The strike demonstrates Israel’s expanding military strategy to target Hamas leadership wherever they are located.
Based on various reports and sources, the following senior Hamas officials were reportedly targeted in the "Peak of Fire" strike in Doha, Qatar. The outcome for many of these individuals is currently unconfirmed.
- Khalil al-Hayya: Regarded as the "Number 1 man" in Hamas following the deaths of the Sinwar brothers. A key architect of the October 7 attack and a prominent figure in hostage negotiations. He has survived previous Israeli assassination attempts.
- Khaled Mashaal: Current head of Hamas's political bureau. He held the same role for many years previously. He is a prominent target who survived a 1997 assassination attempt in Jordan.
- Zaher Jabarin: Head of the organization's financial network and the leader for the area following the assassination of Salah al-Arouri. He was arrested in 1993 and released in the 2011 Shalit deal.
- Ghazi Hamad: A member of the political bureau with significant influence over foreign policy and negotiation strategy. He previously served as a mediator in the Shalit deal.
- Muhammad Ismail Darwish: A senior member of the Shura Council who oversees the organization's financial base and money transfers, particularly from Iran.
- Musa Abu Marzouk: Deputy head of the political bureau and a wealthy figure. He has been involved in internal Palestinian politics for decades.
- Nizar Awadallah: Described as a "hidden figure" in negotiations. He is a prominent political figure who previously challenged Yahya Sinwar for leadership in 2021.
- Hossam Badran: A senior member of the political bureau who was released in the 2011 Shalit deal. He is involved in fundraising for the organization.
- Ranem Khaled: Reported to have been a possible target, with no further details provided.
- Taher al-Nunu: Also mentioned in reports as being present at the meeting. He is a senior official in the Hamas leadership.
