Israel launched a major airstrike on senior Hamas leaders in Doha, Qatar’s capital, on Tuesday afternoon, sparking swift condemnation from Qatar and international outrage over what was described as a breach of sovereignty and international law
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said the operation was a “precise strike” aimed at those “directly responsible for the October 7 massacre.”
Israeli media reported that 15 fighter jets fired 10 munitions at a single target in the city’s West Bay Lagoon district, with explosions and heavy smoke witnessed near Woqod petrol station on Wadi Rawdan Street.
Hamas confirmed that its senior negotiators in Doha were targeted but survived. However, six people, including a Qatari security officer, were killed. The victims were identified as Humam al-Hayya, son of Hamas chief negotiator Khalil al-Hayya; Jihad Labad, al-Hayya’s office director; Abdullah Abdul Wahid; Moamen Hassouna; Ahmed al-Mamluk; and Corporal Badr Saad Mohammed al-Humaidi of Qatar’s internal security forces.
“We confirm the enemy’s failure to assassinate our brothers in the negotiating delegation,” Hamas said in a statement, adding that the strike proved Israel had no intention of reaching a peace agreement.
Israel’s President Isaac Herzog defended the strike, calling it “important and correct,” while Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office stressed that the operation was carried out independently, with Israel taking “full responsibility.” A senior Israeli official told local media that Hamas leaders Khalil al-Hayya and Zaher Jabarin were the intended targets.
The White House confirmed it was notified due to the proximity of the US al-Udeid airbase in Doha. President Donald Trump later distanced himself from the strike, writing on Truth Social that it was “a decision made by Prime Minister Netanyahu, not me.” He expressed regret over the location of the attack, assured Qatari leaders it would not happen again, and criticized Israel’s unilateral action on allied soil as unhelpful to US and regional interests.
Qatar’s foreign ministry called the strike “reckless” and a “cowardly violation” of its sovereignty, warning it would not tolerate such actions. Similar condemnations poured in from across the Arab world, while UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres labeled the attack a “flagrant violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Qatar.”
The strike comes just days after Hamas indicated openness to elements of a US-backed ceasefire plan, raising fears the attack could derail negotiations. Reports suggest Hamas leaders had been meeting to finalize their response to a US proposal that included a 60-day truce, the release of Israeli hostages, and talks on a permanent ceasefire.
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