London, Sept. 13 -- They were meeting in their luxurious residential premises in northern Doha when the Israeli bombs fell, killing five of them. Senior Hamas leaders were discussing the latest US proposals for a ceasefire in Gaza and a hostage release deal, which President Trump had called his "last warning," when Israeli forces carried out Operation Atzeret HaDin, or "Day of Judgement."

According to Israel's president, Isaac Herzog, the strike targeted Khalil al-Hayya, the main Hamas negotiator based in Qatar, whom he claimed had repeatedly thwarted attempts at brokering peace. Speaking in a briefing shortly after the event, Herzog said: "We targeted those who refused to accept the deal, including primarily al-Hayya, whose hands carrie...