Qatar's Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani has vowed to retaliate against Israel following an airstrike in Doha that targeted Hamas leaders. He described the incident as a "decisive moment" for the Middle East and condemned the attack as "state terrorism" sanctioned by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

During a news conference on Tuesday, al-Thani stated, "The State of Qatar is committed to act in a decisive way with anything that would target its territories and will reserve the right to retaliate and will take all the needed measures to retaliate." He emphasized the need for a regional response to what he termed "barbaric actions" by Israel.

The airstrike occurred while Hamas officials were meeting in Doha to discuss a cease-fire deal with Qatari mediators. Hamas reported that five of its members were killed in the attack, but claimed that none of its top leaders were among the casualties. A Qatari security officer who was guarding the meeting site also lost his life in the strike.

Al-Thani criticized Netanyahu, asserting that the attack undermined Qatar's role as a mediator in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. He accused Netanyahu of contributing to instability in the region, stating, "It reflects the barbarism of this person that is leading the region, unfortunately, to a point where we cannot address any situation, and we cannot repair anything, and we cannot work within the frameworks of international laws."

The Israeli government justified the strike, claiming it was a necessary response to recent terrorist attacks against Israeli civilians, including a shooting at a bus stop in Jerusalem that resulted in six deaths. Netanyahu defended the operation, calling it "justified."

The situation has complicated diplomatic efforts led by the United States, as Qatar has been a key ally in mediating peace talks. President Donald Trump expressed regret over the attack, stating he was "not thrilled" about the developments and emphasized that such actions do not advance peace efforts. The White House noted that Israel had informed the U.S. about the impending strike, but a Qatari official disputed this, claiming they were only notified after the attack had begun.

Despite the tensions, al-Thani maintained hope for a cease-fire, asserting that Qatar's diplomatic efforts would continue. He stated, "Mediation and Qatari diplomacy is part of its identity, and it will continue, and nothing will deter us from persisting in this role across the various issues around us in the region, in order to achieve the stability of the region and ultimately the stability of our peoples."

As the situation unfolds, the international community watches closely, with concerns that the strike could further escalate tensions in an already volatile region.