Israel carried out an attack targeting Hamas leadership in Qatar on Tuesday, two Israeli sources told CNN, in what appeared to be the first known Israeli military strike against the militant group in the Gulf nation.
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One of the sources, a senior Israeli official, said among those targeted was Hamas’ chief negotiator Khalil Al-Hayya.
“We are awaiting the results of the strike,” the official said.
The Qatari foreign ministry’s spokesperson Majed Al Ansari called the attack “cowardly” and “criminal assault” that constitutes a “blatant violation of international laws and norms.”
“While strongly condemning this attack, the State of Qatar emphasizes that it will not tolerate this reckless and irresponsible Israeli behavior,” Al Ansari said on X.
A senior Hamas official confirmed to CNN that the group’s negotiators were targeted in Doha.
A Dramatic Escalation
September 9, 2025 — In a dramatic and unprecedented move, Israel launched an airstrike on Hamas political leadership in Doha, Qatar, during a critical meeting to discuss a U.S.-backed ceasefire proposal for the Gaza conflict AP NewsReutersWikipedia.
The Strike and Its Targets
The attack targeted a closed residential compound in the Leqtaifiya/West Bay Lagoon district—where several senior Hamas figures had convened. Among those present were Khalil al-Hayya (Gaza chief and top negotiator), Khaled Mashal (former overall leader and head of the group’s international branch), Muhammad Ismail Darwish, Zaher Jabarin, and others WikipediaWikipedia.
Casualties included five lower-ranking Hamas members, notably the son of Khalil al-Hayya, the head of his office, three bodyguards, and one Qatari security officer AP News+1WikipediaThe Washington Post. Hamas asserts that its top leadership survived the strike AP News+1Wikipedia.
Shortly after the explosion, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) issued a statement saying it had targeted “senior leadership” of Hamas with “a precise strike” in a joint operation with the Shin Bet security agency. The statement didn’t specify where the operation was carried out, but suggested that it was outside Gaza.
“For years, these members of the Hamas leadership have led the terrorist organization’s operations, are directly responsible for the brutal October 7th massacre, and have been orchestrating and managing the war against the State of Israel.”
On Monday, Khalil Al-Hayya met with Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani in Doha.
International Repercussions
The strike was met with a wave of global condemnation:
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Qatar denounced it as a “flagrant violation” of international law and its sovereignty AP News+1Reuters.
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The United States, informed about the strike beforehand, described it as “unfortunate” and emphasized it did not contribute to progressing peace efforts AP News+1The Washington PostReuters.
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Donald Trump, who had been notified shortly before the operation, said he was “very unhappy” and stated the strike didn’t serve U.S. or Israeli interests The Washington PostReutersAP News.
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UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned the action as a breach of Qatar’s sovereignty and a threat to regional stability, calling for renewed push for a ceasefire and humanitarian efforts The Guardian.
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Additional condemnation came from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt, the EU, UN Secretary-General Guterres, and others, warning of damage to ongoing diplomatic efforts AP NewsReutersThe Guardian.
Diplomatic Fallout & Ceasefire Prospects
The strike badly undermines the fragile ceasefire negotiations. Qatar’s prime minister remarked that current talks likely hold no validity following the attack, though Qatar stopped short of withdrawing its mediation role AP News+2AP News+2The Washington Post. The United Nations promptly called an emergency Security Council meeting in response AP News+2AP News+2.
Within Israel, hostage families expressed deep concern that the strike could jeopardize efforts to free captives. Critics warn it may derail any remaining diplomatic pathways OmniAP News.
Conclusion
This Israeli operation marks a historic turning point—it’s the first known Israeli strike on Qatari soil and represents a stark escalation in the Middle East conflict. While it was intended to disrupt Hamas’s leadership and negotiation capabilities, the refusal to dismantle the ceasefire discussions may cost Israel dearly in diplomatic capital. With key international actors rallying in condemnation and ceasefire prospects now hanging by a thread, the aftermath of this strike could reshape regional alliances and the broader trajectory of the Gaza conflict.
Stay tuned for more updates
