QATAR – On Tuesday, Israel targeted senior members of Hamas with an airstrike in Doha, Qatar’s capital. This high-profile attack marked a sharp increase in the long-running conflict between Israel and Hamas and drew loud criticism from leaders across the Middle East, global institutions, and even the United States, which is a strong supporter of Israel.
The Israeli government’s move, aimed at key political figures in Hamas, brought new doubts to fragile ceasefire talks and put Qatar’s status as a mediator under pressure.
The Israeli military confirmed the strike, describing it as a focused operation against leaders they blamed for organizing the 7 October 2023 attack on southern Israel, where 1,200 people died and 251 were taken hostage.
According to Israel, 15 fighter jets launched 10 bombs at a residential building in Doha’s Katara district, an area close to embassies and schools.
Israeli news outlets named the targets as Khalil al-Hayya, known as the exiled chief from Gaza and the group’s lead negotiator, and Zaher Jabarin, a senior Hamas figure for the West Bank.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office stated that the attack was planned, carried out, and owned entirely by Israel.
Hamas responded by saying its main leaders were unharmed but acknowledged that six people died. Among the dead were Khalil al-Hayya’s son, his office’s director, three security guards, and a Qatari security officer.
Hamas called the strike a “terrible crime” and an outright breach of international law. The group claimed it was a direct attempt to derail ongoing ceasefire talks.
Qatar Calls the Strike Reckless
Hamas also criticized the United States, saying it shared responsibility with Israel due to continued support. At the time of the attack, Hamas delegates were reportedly meeting to discuss a new ceasefire offer from the US, which included the release of hostages in Gaza over a 60-day truce, prisoner exchanges, and further negotiations.
Qatar, which has played a central role as a go-between for more than ten years, reacted strongly. Foreign Ministry spokesman Majed al-Ansari described the event as a “reckless” breach of both international law and national sovereignty. Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani described the action as “state terrorism” and said Qatar would set up a legal team to press charges against Israel.
Qatar announced a halt to its mediation efforts, blaming a lack of trust from both Israel and Hamas, raising concerns for the future of peace discussions. Residents in Doha, whose city is seen as very secure, expressed deep shock after the attack. Sultan Barakat, a professor at Hamad Bin Khalifa University, shared with Al Jazeera that Qatar’s reputation for safety now seems at risk and said the attack would further harm Israel’s standing worldwide.
US President Donald Trump, in a rare public warning towards Israel, criticized the strike. He highlighted Qatar as a key security partner for the US and an important mediator in the region. On Truth Social, Trump wrote that bombing inside Qatar, a trusted ally and a country working closely to build peace, damaged both Israeli and US interests, although he also called for action against Hamas due to the group’s exploitation of people in Gaza.
Trump also said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu acted alone and that attempts to warn Qatar of the strike via envoy Steve Witkoff were too late. Qatari officials countered this claim, stating there was no warning and that American officials only reached out after the explosions.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that the US military, which has a large presence at Qatar’s Al Udeid Air Base, got very short notice but did not take part in or approve of the attack.
The international response was swift and nearly unanimous. Saudi Arabia labelled the strike “brutal aggression” and stood by Qatar. The UAE called it “cowardly” and a breach of international law, while Egypt warned it set a dangerous precedent. Iran, a supporter of Hamas, condemned the attack and said it threatened stability in the Middle East.
No Hamas Leader is Safe
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also spoke out, calling it a clear violation of Qatar’s sovereignty and praising the country’s role in seeking a ceasefire. European countries, including France, Spain, and the United Kingdom, echoed these concerns.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer warned that the attack risked wider conflict. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan contacted Qatar’s Emir and pledged full support as both countries discussed steps to respond together.
The timing of the strike, coming right after Hamas claimed responsibility for a deadly shooting in Jerusalem, pointed to a likely act of retaliation. Israel’s leaders, among them Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz, defended the action as a justified response to Hamas attacks.
Analysts, however, said the operation could weaken efforts to find a diplomatic solution and alienate Qatar, which has hosted Hamas’s political office since 2012 at the US’s request. Robert Malley, a former US Middle East adviser, told The Washington Post the message was clear: no Hamas leader is truly safe anywhere, and other countries like Egypt or Turkey might now hesitate to host or mediate talks like these.
The wider effect may be severe. With Qatar stepping back from its mediator role, Egypt may need to fill the gap, or negotiations could fall apart entirely. This could prolong fighting in Gaza, where the local health ministry claims more than 65,000 Palestinians have died.
Ties between the US and Israel also appear strained, with Democratic Senator Chris Coons noting a lack of trust after Israel failed to provide prior warning to US officials.
Qatar’s image as a stable and neutral site for global talks faces new doubt, raising fresh questions about security and the safety of diplomatic efforts within its borders. With tensions climbing and peace negotiations at risk, global leaders face a tough challenge in trying to restore stability.
