Israeli defense official suggests strike on Hamas leaders could help bring war to an end

A “senior defense official” in a statement sent out to reporters says the Israeli strike on Hamas’s leadership in Qatar today may bring about an end to the war in the Gaza Strip.

“The beheading of Hamas’s leadership today in Qatar is a brilliant and powerful operation carried out by the IDF and the Shin Bet in accordance with the directive of the prime minister and defense minister,” the official says.

He says the strike, dubbed Summit of Fire, “constitutes a significant step in the victory over the Hamas terror organization, delivers justice to those responsible for the October 7 massacre, and strengthens Israel’s deterrent image, and may also generate a change of direction that will bring an end to the war in Gaza under the conditions set by the State of Israel, foremost among them the release of all hostages and the disarmament of Hamas.”

“This is also a message to the residents of Gaza that the time has come to rebel against the weakened Hamas and to act to end the war,” the official adds.