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Israel confirmed on Tuesday that it launched an airstrike in Doha targeting senior Hamas officials, just as the group was reviewing a new U.S.-backed ceasefire proposal for Gaza. The attack was highly unusual, as it took place on the soil of Qatar, a close U.S. ally that has played a key role in peace mediation. The strike risks derailing ongoing negotiations and has triggered widespread condemnation.
Qatar’s Foreign Ministry strongly denounced the attack, calling it a cowardly act and a clear violation of its sovereignty. The Interior Ministry reported that one member of its Internal Security Force was killed and several others were wounded. The U.S. Embassy in Doha issued a shelter-in-place alert after the blasts but later lifted it.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu openly claimed responsibility for the strike, saying, “Israel initiated it, Israel conducted it, and Israel takes full responsibility.” He tied the operation to a shooting in Jerusalem on Monday that killed six people, as well as to recent clashes in Gaza. The Israeli military said it used precise weapons but did not provide further details.
A Hamas official told Al Jazeera that the group’s senior leadership survived, though the son of a key negotiator, Khalil al-Hayya, and one of his top aides were killed. Israel has not confirmed whether any top Hamas leaders died in the strike.
The attack took place in a residential neighborhood in northern Doha, near diplomatic missions and schools, during the busy afternoon hours. Witnesses reported heavy traffic at the time and video footage showed smoke rising above damaged buildings as emergency services moved in.
The timing of the assault shook already fragile ceasefire diplomacy. U.S. officials said Washington had been notified in advance that Israel intended to carry out the strike in Doha, though it was unclear if the U.S. approved or supported it. Hamas said its negotiators in Doha had been discussing new American proposals, which include the release of all hostages in exchange for a temporary truce that could eventually end the war.
Regional and global reactions came swiftly. Saudi Arabia pledged full solidarity with Qatar and warned the strike could worsen tensions. The United Arab Emirates called it a blatant violation of international law, while Egypt described it as a dangerous precedent undermining peace efforts. Jordan promised unwavering support for Qatar and urged international intervention to restrain Israel. Turkey accused Israel of terrorism and expansionism, while Morocco, Pakistan, and Lebanon also condemned the strike. The Palestinian Authority warned it threatened regional stability. Somalia issued its own statement, calling the strike a brutal attack against civilians.
The United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres condemned the strike as a breach of Qatar’s sovereignty and repeated his call for all sides to commit to a lasting ceasefire.
Meanwhile, the families of Israeli hostages expressed deep concern that the operation would endanger their loved ones in Gaza and further complicate a possible deal. The Hostages and Missing Families Forum said the chances of their relatives’ return now faced “greater uncertainty than ever.”
Israel has repeatedly warned that Hamas leaders abroad are legitimate targets. Over the past year, several top Hamas figures have been killed in different countries, with Israel either claiming responsibility or being widely accused. Qatar, home to thousands of U.S. troops, has hosted Hamas’ political leadership for years and has acted as a main mediator in ceasefire talks throughout the 23-month conflict, which began with Hamas’ October 7, 2023, attack on Israel.
The Doha strike comes as Israel pushes deeper into Gaza City while the U.S. continues to press for a framework deal that would swap Israeli hostages for Palestinian prisoners and pause the fighting. Netanyahu said Israel has accepted the “principles” of the U.S. proposal, but Hamas has rejected previous terms, demanding a permanent ceasefire and complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza.