Israel Targets Hamas Leaders in Unprecedented Strike on Doha, Qatar Condemns “Criminal” Attack
DOHA, Qatar – September 9, 2025 – In a dramatic escalation that breaches the sovereignty of a key mediator, the Israeli military has confirmed it carried out an airstrike in the Qatari capital of Doha, targeting senior leaders of the Hamas political bureau.
The attack, which occurred on Tuesday, marks the first time Israel has launched a strike inside Qatar, a nation that has been central to ceasefire negotiations and hosts the largest U.S. military base in the region, Al Udeid Air Base.
The Strike and Its Target
According to the Israeli military and intelligence service Shin Bet, the operation was a “targeted attack on the top leadership of the Hamas terrorist organization.” A statement claimed those targeted were “directly responsible for carrying out the October 7 massacre and waging the war against the State of Israel.”
A Hamas source told Al Jazeera that the strike hit a meeting of the group’s negotiating team as they were reviewing the latest U.S.-backed ceasefire proposal. Qatar’s foreign ministry stated the attack targeted residential buildings housing Hamas officials.
Qatar’s Furious Condemnation
The Qatari government reacted with fury. Majed al-Ansari, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, condemned the “criminal attack in the strongest terms,” calling it a “flagrant violation of all international laws and norms.”
“This constitutes a serious threat to the security and safety of Qataris and residents of Qatar,” the statement read, adding that Qatar “will not tolerate this reckless Israeli behaviour” and that investigations are underway at the highest level.
Qatar’s Interior Ministry later assured the public that the situation in Doha was under control and that specialized teams were at the scene.
International Reaction and Broader Implications
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres joined the condemnation, labeling the strikes a “flagrant violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Qatar” and noting the country’s “very positive role” in seeking a ceasefire.
The attack signals a bold new phase in Israel’s campaign against Hamas leadership, following the recent assassinations of figures like Yahya Sinwar and Ismail Haniyeh in other countries. Just days prior, on August 31, Israeli military chief Eyal Zamir had pledged to target Hamas leaders “wherever they were in the world.”
Al Jazeera’s senior political analyst, Marwan Bishara, denounced the move as “disgusting, mafia-type action” that targeted diplomatic efforts. “This is gangster behaviour… This is not a state that is involved in diplomacy and negotiations,” he said.
The strike has sent shockwaves through the Gulf and the international community, with several Arab nations issuing strong condemnations. All eyes are now on the United States for a response, as the White House had not yet issued a statement at the time of reporting. The attack threatens to severely destabilize regional security and derail any ongoing peace negotiations.
