Israel has taken full responsibility for the attacks carried out in Doha. In an official statement, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said the operation was directed against senior Hamas leaders and was carried out completely independently of Israeli forces.
"Today's action against the top Hamas terrorist leaders was a completely independent Israeli operation. Israel initiated and directed it and takes full responsibility," Prime Minister Netanyahu's office said in a statement.
Israel's statement came after reports that the United States may have played a role in the operation. An Israeli official said that US President Donald Trump "gave the green light" for the attack.
On the other hand, a White House official confirmed to the BBC that the Trump administration was "notified" of the Israeli operation in Doha before it took place. However, it is emphasized that it had no direct role in its execution.
The attack on Qatar, a major non-NATO ally of the United States and home to about 10,000 US troops, has raised questions about the level of US awareness and involvement. US President Donald Trump is expected to speak later in the day from the Oval Office, where he will first discuss a decision on health issues.
Meanwhile, the first international reaction came from the United Nations. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres strongly condemned the attack, calling it a "flagrant violation of Qatar's sovereignty and territorial integrity."
"Qatar is a country that has played a very positive role in achieving a ceasefire and the release of all hostages," Guterres said at a press conference, calling on all parties to refrain from such actions.
He further added: "All parties must work to achieve a permanent ceasefire, not to destroy it."
