In a live interview with Al Jazeera on 17/9, Ghazi Hamad, a member of Hamas' political bureau, said, "The attack occurred less than an hour after we began studying the proposal for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip,".

This was his first television appearance since Israel's 9/9 attack on Hamas leaders in Doha, Qatar.

Hamad recounted that about 12 missiles struck in less than a minute. "At that moment, we were absolutely certain it was an Israeli attack. God decided that everyone would survive this aggression against us and Qatar," he said.

Ghazi Hamad in a live interview with Al Jazeera on 17/9. Photo: Al Jazeera

Ghazi Hamad in a live interview with Al Jazeera on 17/9. Photo: Al Jazeera

On 9/9, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) deployed 15 fighter jets to the Red Sea and launched at least 10 ballistic missiles targeting Hamas' political leadership offices in Doha. Israel's objective was to eliminate Hamas' top leadership while they were discussing a peace proposal for the Gaza Strip presented by then-US President Donald Trump.

Five lower-ranking Hamas members and a Qatari security officer were killed. However, the group's political leaders survived because they had left the meeting room to pray just as the missiles hit.

According to sources close to Hamas, Hamad was among the six leaders targeted by Israel. The meeting also included chief negotiator Khalil al-Hayya, former chief negotiator Khaled Meshaal, West Bank leader Zaher Jabarine, and two political officials, Bassem Naim and Taher al-Nounou.

Ngoc Anh (AFP)