DOHA,– Israel carried out a strike on Hamas officials in Qatar on Tuesday, extending its campaign against the Palestinian Islamist group beyond Gaza and neighboring states into the Gulf country where Hamas has maintained its political leadership. Israeli officials, also speaking to Reuters, said the operation was directed at senior Hamas leaders, including Khalil al-Hayya, the exiled Gaza figure who has served as the group’s chief negotiator. Since the deadly Hamas assault on Israel in October 2023 that killed 1,200 people and resulted in 251 hostages, according to Israeli counts, Israel has targeted Hamas leadership across multiple countries. Al Jazeera television, citing a Hamas source, reported the strike targeted Hamas negotiators involved in ceasefire discussions. The attack is expected to complicate mediation efforts, as Qatar has hosted multiple rounds of negotiations between Hamas and Israel since the fighting began.