Israel Airstrike in Qatar Targets Hamas Leaders, Sparks Global Backlash
Escalation in the Middle East
Israel carried out a surprise airstrike in Doha, Qatar, on Tuesday, targeting senior Hamas political leaders. The attack, which Israel defended as justified retaliation, has been widely condemned across the Middle East and beyond. The strike marks a major escalation in the ongoing Gaza conflict and threatens to derail fragile ceasefire efforts.
Qatar Condemns “Treacherous” Attack
Qatar, which has hosted Hamas’ political office for years and has played a key role as a mediator in peace talks, denounced the strike as “state terrorism.” Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani vowed that Qatar would take all necessary measures to respond. The Qatari government confirmed that one of its internal security officers was killed and several others were injured in the attack.
Hamas Confirms Casualties but Leaders Survive
Hamas reported that five of its members were killed in the attack, including the son of Khalil al-Hayya, a senior Hamas leader and negotiator. Despite Israel’s attempt, Hamas’ top leadership survived. The group accused Israel of trying to assassinate its ceasefire negotiation team.
U.S. Reaction: Little Warning, Limited Approval
The United States expressed concern, saying it received only brief notice of the strike. President Donald Trump described eliminating Hamas as “a worthy goal” but admitted he felt badly about the attack taking place on the soil of a key U.S. ally. Qatar hosts the al-Udeid Air Base, the largest U.S. military facility in the region, making the strike a politically sensitive move.
Trump later called Qatar’s Emir to assure him that “such a thing will not happen again” and also spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. U.S. officials confirmed Israel notified Washington just before the operation but emphasized there was no prior coordination.
Regional and Global Condemnation
The airstrike drew immediate criticism from across the world.
- Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and the UAE condemned the action.
- The European Union labeled it a violation of international law.
- Pope Leo issued an unusually strong statement of concern.
- U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said the strike undermined Qatar’s important mediation efforts.
The backlash highlights fears that the attack could collapse already fragile negotiations for a Gaza ceasefire.
Link to Jerusalem Attack
Israel said the strike was launched in retaliation for a Hamas-claimed shooting near Jerusalem on Monday that killed six civilians and the deaths of four Israeli soldiers in Gaza. Netanyahu declared that Hamas leaders would no longer enjoy “any kind of immunity.”
Gaza Braces for Further Onslaught
At the same time, Israeli forces dropped leaflets over Gaza City urging civilians to flee ahead of a planned military offensive aimed at destroying what remains of Hamas’ infrastructure. Gaza, home to over 2.2 million people before the war, faces worsening humanitarian conditions as Israel vows to demilitarize the strip entirely.
Local authorities say more than 64,000 Palestinians have been killed since the conflict began in October 2023. The situation has drawn accusations of genocide from global scholars and increasing opposition from both international governments and sections of Israeli society.
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Impact on Peace Efforts
The strike inside Qatar raises serious questions about Israel’s strategy and its willingness to risk relationships with allies. Analysts warn that targeting Hamas leaders in a foreign country could undermine trust in regional diplomacy, complicate hostage negotiations, and escalate tensions beyond Gaza.
FAQs
What happened in Qatar on September 9, 2025?
Israel launched an airstrike in Doha targeting Hamas political leaders. The attack killed five Hamas members but failed to eliminate top leadership.
Why did Israel strike in Qatar?
The operation followed a Hamas-claimed shooting near Jerusalem that killed six people, along with the deaths of four Israeli soldiers in Gaza. Israel said the goal was to eliminate Hamas’ leadership.
How did Qatar respond?
Qatar condemned the attack as “treacherous” and accused Israel of state terrorism. It confirmed one of its security officers was killed in the strike.
Did the U.S. approve the strike?
No. The U.S. said it received only last-minute notification. President Trump expressed disapproval of the location but defended targeting Hamas as a legitimate objective.
Will this affect Gaza ceasefire talks?
Yes, the strike threatens to derail ongoing peace negotiations. Qatar and Egypt had been leading mediation efforts, which are now in jeopardy.
