Israeli Airstrike Targets Hamas Leadership in Qatar

Tue Sep 23 2025 12:06:32 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Israel conducted an airstrike in Doha targeting prominent Hamas leaders, drawing condemnation from Qatar and raising international concerns over sovereignty and legality.

In an unprecedented move, Israel launched an airstrike in Doha, Qatar, aimed at senior members of the Hamas political bureau, including key negotiators. Qatar condemned the attack as a violation of international law, while Israel justified it as a necessary action against terror leaders. The incident escalates tensions in a region already marked by conflict, sparking further discussions about the implications for peace negotiations.

Israel has carried out a strike targeting the senior leadership of Hamas in Qatar's capital, Doha.

A Hamas official confirmed that members of the group's negotiating team were present during the strike, although the impact on their safety is unclear at this time. The attack resulted in significant damage to a building located in the northern Katara district.

The Israeli military has accused the Hamas leaders of being directly responsible for the October 7, 2023 attack on Israel and of orchestrating the subsequent conflict in Gaza.

Qatar has responded strongly, denouncing the operation as a cowardly Israeli attack targeting residential buildings where Hamas political bureau members reside.

The foreign ministry of Qatar stated, This criminal assault constitutes a blatant violation of all international laws and norms, and poses a serious threat to the security and safety of Qataris and residents in Qatar. It is noteworthy that Qatar has hosted the Hamas political bureau since 2012 and has acted as a mediator in indirect talks between Hamas and Israel.

UN Secretary General António Guterres also condemned the airstrike, labeling it a flagrant violation of Qatar's sovereignty.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asserted that the attack against Hamas leaders was an independent Israeli operation, emphasizing full responsibility for the strike.

Israeli officials believe that this strike targeted prominent figures, including Khalil al-Hayya, the chief negotiator for Hamas, and Zaher Jabarin, a leader from the West Bank.

The conflict has escalated dramatically since the attack on Israel in October, which led to a full-scale military campaign in Gaza. With recent estimates indicating that over 64,605 individuals have been killed in the ongoing violence, tensions in the region continue to intensify.