Turkey and Qatar discuss 'joint steps' in response to Israeli attack on Doha

Turkey and Qatar on Tuesday discussed joint steps that the countries will take in response to the Israeli attack against Doha in a phone call, the official Turkish communication department said. 

In a phone conversation, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan told Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani that he condemned Israel's attack, which "clearly violates the sovereignty" of Qatar and aims to deepen the conflict, tension, and instability in the region, Turkey's Directorate of Communications shared on X. 

Israeli strikes on Doha, Qatar, targeting Hamas leadership, are facing widespread global condemnation. 

On Tuesday, around 12 air strikes struck residential buildings in Doha around 4pm local time (1pm GMT), targeting Hamas leadership, according to a statement by the Israeli military.

Hamas leadership was there to discuss the latest US ceasefire proposal for Gaza, presented to the group in recent days.

A source close to the Palestinian movement told Middle East Eye that all senior leaders targeted in the attack survived, including Khalil al-Hayya, Khaled Meshal, Zaher Jabarin, and others. However, the attack killed Hammam al-Hayya's son, Khalil, and his office director, Jihad Lubbad, sources told MEE. Several others were wounded. 

Saudi Arabia and the UAE were among the Gulf countries condemning the attack, warning of "grave consequences resulting from the Israeli occupation’s persistence in its criminal transgressions".