Israel has launched a major airstrike in Doha, Qatar’s capital, targeting senior Hamas leaders on Tuesday afternoon. The move has triggered widespread condemnation from Qatar and the international community, with critics labeling it a violation of sovereignty and international law.
According to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), the strike was a “precise operation” against those allegedly “directly responsible for the October 7 massacre.”
The Strike and Casualties
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 smoke seen near Woqod petrol station on Wadi Rawdan Street.
Hamas confirmed its senior negotiators in Doha were targeted but survived. However, six people, including a Qatari security officer, were killed. The victims were identified as:
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Humam al-Hayya, son of Hamas chief negotiator Khalil al-Hayya
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Jihad Labad, office director of Khalil al-Hayya
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Abdullah Abdul Wahid
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Moamen Hassouna
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Ahmed al-Mamluk
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Corporal Badr Saad Mohammed al-Humaidi (Qatar’s internal security forces)
In a statement, Hamas declared: “We confirm the enemy’s failure to assassinate our brothers in the negotiating delegation,” accusing Israel of sabotaging peace talks.
Israeli Leadership Responds
President Isaac Herzog defended the strike as “important and correct.” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said Israel carried out the attack independently, taking “full responsibility.”
A senior Israeli official claimed Hamas leaders Khalil al-Hayya and Zaher Jabarin were the intended targets.
US and International Reaction
The White House confirmed it was notified of the operation, given its proximity to the US al-Udeid Air Base in Doha.
Former US President Donald Trump, writing on Truth Social, distanced himself from the action:
“This was a decision made by Prime Minister Netanyahu, not me.”
He expressed regret over the location of the strike, assured Qatari leaders it would not be repeated, and criticized Israel’s unilateral move as “unhelpful to US and regional interests.”
Meanwhile, Qatar’s Foreign Ministry slammed the airstrike as “reckless” and a “cowardly violation” of its sovereignty. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also condemned the attack, calling it a “flagrant violation of Qatar’s territorial integrity.”
Impact on Peace Talks
The timing of the strike has raised fears it could derail fragile ceasefire negotiations. Just days earlier, Hamas had signaled openness to a US-backed truce plan involving a 60-day ceasefire, hostage releases, and steps toward a permanent peace deal.
