Israel launched an airstrike in Doha, the capital of Qatar, targeting senior Hamas leaders on september 9, 2025. This marked the first time Israel conducted a military operation on Qatari soil. The attack occurred while Hamas officials were meeting to discuss a U.S.-backed ceasefire proposal aimed at ending the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
Israel stated that the strike was a response to recent deadly attacks by Hamas on Israeli civilians and soldiers. The airstrike resulted in the deaths of six individuals, including the son of senior Hamas leader Khalil al-Hayya and a Qatari security officer.
Although key Hamas figures survived, the attack disrupted the ceasefire negotiations. The international community widely condemned the strike. Qatar denounced it as a violation of its sovereignty and international law.
The United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, described the attack as a “flagrant violation” of Qatar’s territorial integrity. Turkey and the United Kingdom also criticized the action, emphasizing the need for diplomatic solutions.
The United States, while acknowledging prior knowledge of the operation, distanced itself from the decision. President Trump expressed dissatisfaction with the strike, noting that Hamas leaders were in Doha to discuss a ceasefire proposal.
This incident has complicated Qatar’s role as a mediator in the Gaza conflict. Hosting Hamas’s political office since 2012, Qatar has been instrumental in facilitating negotiations between Israel and Hamas. The attack has raised concerns about the future of these mediation efforts and the broader implications for regional stability.
Israel’s airstrike in Qatar aimed to target Hamas leadership but resulted in significant international backlash and threaten ongoing peace negotiations.