Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yisrael Katz announced on Tuesday that Israel’s targeted strike against senior Hamas leaders in Doha, Qatar, was direct retaliation for recent deadly attacks in Jerusalem and Gaza.

According to the joint statement, Netanyahu instructed Israel’s security services late Monday to prepare for the elimination of Hamas leadership following “murderous attacks” that killed 6 civilians in Jerusalem and 4 soldiers in Gaza. By noon Tuesday, with the backing of the entire security establishment, Netanyahu and Katz authorized the strike, executed by the IDF and Shin Bet.

The statement emphasized the precision of the operation, saying it was “executed precisely and optimally.” Netanyahu and Katz underscored that the targeted Hamas leaders were the same figures who orchestrated the October 7 massacre and have continued to direct attacks against Israeli civilians.

“These are the people who initiated and organized the October 7 massacre, and they have not ceased murdering our citizens since,” the statement said, noting Hamas claimed responsibility for the killings in Monday’s attack in Jerusalem.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)