The Israeli defence minister had Doha’s gleaming hotels and the Hamas leadership on his mind on Monday morning when he hinted that something extraordinary was afoot.

“Today, a powerful hurricane will strike the skies of Gaza City and the roofs of the terror towers,” Israel Katz said.

“This is a final warning to the murderers and rapists of Hamas in Gaza and in luxury hotels abroad: release the hostages and lay down your weapons – or Gaza will be destroyed and you will be annihilated.”

A little over 24 hours later, several precision-guided Israeli missiles slammed into a squat sand-coloured building in the northern coastal area of Doha, the Qatari capital, where several embassies are located.

Israel had struck at the heart of the Hamas leadership as they discussed the latest offer of

See Full Page