European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced on Wednesday her intention to pursue sanctions and a partial trade suspension against Israel due to the ongoing conflict in Gaza. The European Union, comprising 27 member states, remains divided on its stance regarding Israel and the Palestinians, making it uncertain whether a majority will support these proposed measures.

In a related development, Israel conducted significant airstrikes targeting Houthi rebels in Yemen's capital, Sanaa, on the same day. The Houthis reported that the strikes hit a fuel station and a government facility. Israel confirmed the airstrikes, stating they were aimed at Houthi military targets. There were no immediate reports of casualties from these strikes.

In Qatar, emergency responders were engaged in recovery efforts following an Israeli attack on Hamas political leaders who were meeting to discuss a U.S. proposal for a ceasefire in Gaza. Hamas reported that all its leaders survived the attack, but five lower-ranking members were killed. Qatar's Internal Security Force also reported casualties, including the death of one member.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar criticized von der Leyen's actions, claiming they would undermine relations between Israel and Europe and embolden Hamas. Analysts noted that Qatar has limited options for responding to the Israeli attack, given its lack of formal ties with Israel and its efforts to maintain relations with the United States.

The Global Sumud Flotilla, an international activist group attempting to break the Israeli blockade of Gaza, reported that one of its boats was attacked by a drone while docked in Tunisian waters. The group accused Israel of the attack, which caused no injuries. They stated that these attacks are part of a broader Israeli aggression against Palestinians in Gaza.

Von der Leyen also indicated plans to freeze EU support to Israel, a move that does not require approval from the member states. She emphasized that this would not affect the EU's work with Israeli civil society or the Holocaust memorial, Yad Vashem. Additionally, she announced the establishment of a Palestine donor group aimed at focusing on Gaza's reconstruction.

The Israeli airstrike on Hamas leaders in Qatar has raised concerns about the potential impact on ceasefire negotiations and Israel's relations with Gulf Arab states. Analysts warned that such actions could jeopardize the fragile normalization framework established by the Abraham Accords.

In response to the attack, Qatar's Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani condemned Israel's actions, stating that they threaten regional stability. He also noted that the Israeli military used weapons that were not detected by Qatar's air defenses, suggesting a sophisticated attack method.

Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi condemned the Israeli attack on Qatar, calling it a destabilizing action that interferes with ongoing diplomatic efforts for a ceasefire in Gaza. He urged all parties involved to de-escalate the situation and refrain from actions that could further destabilize the region.