Israel: Qatar strike aimed to destroy Hamas 'old quard'

ISRAEL'S shock bombing of the Qatari capital was aimed at wiping out the Hamas old guard blocking Gaza ceasefire proposals, according to its President.

- BY CHRIS HUGHES

Isaac Herzog said that his country's attack on Doha targeted terror chiefs, led by Khalil al-Hayya, because they had repeatedly turned down Israel's suggestions.

During a visit to London, he said: "The plan was to target the leadership who had objected to the peace deal.

"We targeted those who have refused to accept suggestions, including exiled Gaza leader Khalil al-Hayya, who carries the blood of thousands of Israelis.

"Khalil was always objecting to every peace deal. He kept making objections." The astonishing claim about the attack, which killed six, was made hours before Herzog, 64, met Prime Minister Keir Starmer for talks about Gaza.

Among the dead were five members of Hamas and a Qatari security worker, although Israeli sources say it cannot be confirmed who the dead Palestinians were.

Israel's attack is believed to have shattered hopes for a ceasefire as war rages around Gaza City.

More than 50 Palestinians are feared to have been killed since dawn on Tuesday and the Strip's death toll is now more than 64,600.

Medical charity Médecins Sans Frontières branded the current assault on Gaza City a "death sentence".

It said: "It will be simply impossible to force a million people, including hundreds of critically ill patients and newborn babies, out of Gaza City into overcrowded, under-resourced areas in the centre and south of the Strip.