Israel Conducts Airstrike Targeting Hamas Leaders in Doha, Qatar
Israel launched an airstrike in Doha, Qatar, targeting senior Hamas officials, marking a significant escalation in regional tensions.
On September 9, 2025, Israel carried out an airstrike in Doha, Qatar, targeting senior Hamas officials. This operation marks the first known Israeli military action within Qatari territory, a nation over 1,000 miles from Israel.
The strike aimed at top Hamas leaders, including Khalil al-Hayya, the group's Gaza chief, and Khaled Mashal, former head of Hamas and current leader of its international branch.
Qatar's Foreign Ministry condemned the attack as a "flagrant violation of international laws" and a breach of the country's sovereignty. United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres also criticized the strike, stating it could jeopardize ongoing ceasefire efforts.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office stated: "Today's action against the top terrorist chieftains of Hamas was a wholly independent Israeli operation [...] Israel initiated it, Israel conducted it, and Israel takes full responsibility."
The airstrike occurred shortly after a Hamas attack in Jerusalem resulted in six Israeli deaths, prompting Israel to order the assassination mission. The incident has raised immediate security concerns in the region and further complicated diplomatic negotiations between the U.S., Israel, Qatar, and Hamas.
This development follows Qatar's suspension of its mediation efforts between Israel and Hamas in November 2024, citing frustration with the lack of progress on a ceasefire deal.