Netanyahu, Katz cite Jerusalem terror attack as reason for Qatar strike

PM Netanyahu and DM Katz said the decision to attack the Hamas leadership in Qatar was made after the terror attack in Jerusalem that left six people dead.

The terror attack in Jerusalem on Monday was the reason behind the strike on the Hamas leadership in Doha, Qatar, said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz in a joint statement Tuesday.

“After the murderous attacks in Jerusalem and Gaza, Netanyahu instructed all security agencies to prepare for the possibility of thwarting the leaders of Hamas. The Defense Minister fully supported this proposal,” read the statement.

The statement also explained how “in light of an operational opportunity, and in consultation with all heads of the defense establishment and with full backing, the prime minister and the defense minister decided to implement the instruction given last night to the IDF and the Shin Bet.”

“The prime minister and the defense minister believed that the action was completely justified in light of the fact that this Hamas leadership was the one who initiated and organized the October 7 massacre, and has not stopped launching murderous actions against the State of Israel and its citizens since then, including taking responsibility for the murder of our citizens in yesterday’s attack in Jerusalem,” finished the statement.

Qatar also announced on Tuesday that it would halt the mediation efforts to reach a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas after the strike on its capital.

Hamas takes responsibility for Jerusalem’s shooting

This comes after Hamas took responsibility for Monday’s Jerusalem terror attack, where six people were killed and over 20 were wounded.

The Izzadin al-Qassam brigade was the one that coordinated the attack, according to the statement published on Tuesday. They also called the shooting on the passengers’ bus a “successful operation.”