Countries hosting Hamas could be Israel's next targets: Israeli PM

Countries hosting Hamas leaders or other groups regarded by Israel as enemies could themselves become targets if they failed to act against the groups, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned Wednesday, a day after Israel's Doha strike that drew swift and broad international condemnation.

 

"I say to Qatar and all nations who harbor terrorists, you either expel them or you bring them to justice ... because if you don't, we will," Netanyahu said in a video statement.

 

Israel has not released details on the outcome of its airstrike in Doha on Tuesday that targeted a building used by senior Hamas officials in what Israeli authorities described as an attempt to assassinate leaders of the group who were "directly responsible for" the attack on Oct. 7, 2023 that left about 1,200 people dead.

 

Hamas said Tuesday that the strike occurred while its delegation was discussing a new ceasefire proposal presented by Washington. According to the group, the negotiating team survived, but six others were killed.

 

On Wednesday, Israel's state-owned Kan TV reported that estimates were growing the attack has failed to hit its intended targets.

 

Qatar has vowed to adopt a "comprehensive" approach to respond to the Israeli strike and deter future attacks, noting that the country will not tolerate any violations of its sovereignty.

 

Meanwhile, the Israeli military pressed on with its offensive in Gaza, saying its air force has carried out three waves of strikes on 360 sites in Gaza City since last week.

 

At least 41 people were killed across Gaza on Wednesday, bringing the total death toll in the enclave to 64,656 since October 2023, Gaza-based health authorities said, noting that Israel's ongoing offensive has also reduced much of Gaza to rubble and caused famine.

 

Xinhua