Netanyahu Signals Potential Further Strikes on Hamas Leaders

Sat Oct 18 2025 23:48:32 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asserts that Hamas leaders will face actions without regard for their location, reiterating Israel's right to self-defense in an ongoing conflict with the militant group.

During a joint press conference with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Jerusalem, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu affirmed the possibility of future attacks on Hamas leaders, emphasizing that their location will not shield them from Israeli strikes. This statement follows Israel's recent controversial attack in Qatar, which caused international outrage and was condemned by US President Donald Trump. Netanyahu maintained that the strikes were conducted independently by Israel and defended the country's right to act beyond its borders.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has not ruled out further strikes on Hamas leaders following last week's attack in Qatar, saying they would not have immunity wherever they are.

Speaking at a Jerusalem press conference with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Netanyahu said every country had the right to defend itself beyond its borders.

Israel's decision to target Hamas leaders in Qatar - a close US ally - drew international outrage and criticism from US President Donald Trump. Hamas claimed that six people were killed but asserted that its leaders survived.

Netanyahu's comments follow assurances from the White House that Trump had promised Qatar, such a thing will not happen again on their soil.

When pressed on whether the US had any involvement in the strike, Netanyahu stated: We did it on our own. Period. In response to a question about any damage to US relations in the region, Rubio reiterated that Washington maintains strong relationships with our Gulf allies.

The press conference displayed a united front between Netanyahu and Rubio, who praised the technological and cultural ties between their countries, with Netanyahu asserting that Israel had no better ally.

The joint appearance occurred as Arab leaders were gathered for a summit in support of Qatar, where the Qatari prime minister urged the international community to halt applying double standards and to hold Israel accountable.

Qatar hosts a major US airbase and has been instrumental in mediating diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict in Gaza, accommodating the Hamas political bureau since 2012.

Rubio is expected to travel to Qatar following his visit to Israel. On Sunday, Netanyahu expressed that the US-Israel relationship was as durable as the stones in the Western Wall, a sentiment shared during their visit to the holy site.

In a broader context, Israel's military actions include an impending offensive on Gaza City, where the Israeli military continues to demolish residential buildings, pressuring residents to evacuate southwards amid air strikes in those areas as well. Performance statistics indicate around 250,000 Palestinians have fled the area, but many remain behind due to safety concerns and shelter shortages.

The situation highlights tense international relations and ongoing debates surrounding the future of the West Bank, especially as some Western allies are expected to recognize the State of Palestine in the forthcoming UN General Assembly session.