Explosions were heard in Qatar’s capital on Tuesday afternoon, after Israel’s military launched strikes targeting the residences of Hamas’ senior leadership.
Shortly after, Israel’s Defence Force (IDF) took responsibility, issuing a statement confirming the attack. The IDF confirmed that it conducted a “precise strike targeting senior leadership of the Hamas terrorist organisation”. Israel’s military added that efforts were made to minimise civilian harm citing the use of “precise munitions and additional intelligence”.
Five senior officials were meeting at the time of the attack, among them Khalil al Hayya, one of Hamas’ top negotiators for an Israeli peace agreement. Khaled Mashaal, Muhammad Darwish, Razi Hamad and Izzat al-Risq were also at the meeting.
The strikes targeted the residences of Hamas’ officials in Doha, where senior leaders had been staying while Qatar hosted peace talks aimed at ending the war in Gaza. Hamas leadership survived the attack, however, six people were killed including the son of a Hamas leader and a member of Qatar’s security forces.
The attack came after a deadly shooting in Jerusalem on Monday morning which claimed the lives of six people and injured eight. The Israeli Prime Minister said he ordered security forces to prepare the strike on Hamas in response to the attack, calling it a justified response. Hamas didn’t initially claim responsibility but have since done so.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed the Trump administration was notified by the US military about Israel’s actions. However, she declined to comment on whether Israel directly informed the US or if the strike was detected through intelligence. In the press conference she praised Qatar for “bravely taking risks with us to broker peace” and stressed that the strike did not “advance Israel or America’s goals”.
Qatar condemned the Israeli attack as “cowardly” and emphasised that an investigation is underway at the “highest level”. Officials stressed that the assault constituted a violation of international law and posed a serious threat to the security and safety of civilians in Qatar.
Qatar’s regional allies were quick to rally around the country in the wake of the attack. A diplomatic adviser to the UAE President described the attack as “treacherous” whilst the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, Mohammad bin Salman, warned Israel of “grave consequences” resulting from its “persistence in criminal transgressions”. Egypt also condemned the attack, arguing it “undermined” global efforts for de-escalation in the region.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned the strikes on Doha warning that they “risk further escalation across the region”. Starmer reiterated calls for an immediate ceasefire and argued that this was the only way to achieve long-lasting peace.
French President Emmanuel Macron expressed his solidarity with the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim Al Thani. He added that the attacks were “unacceptable” regardless of the reason behind them.
The UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has called for Israel and Hamas to reach a permanent ceasefire in response to the strikes in Doha which he called a “flagrant violation of sovereignty”.
Earlier this week, President Trump pressured Hamas to reach a ceasefire deal with Israel, issuing a final warning to the group to negotiate a settlement.
Image: CIA Director John Ratcliffe and Middle East Envoy Steve Witkoff speak with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu – The White House (Daniel Torok)
In response to the deal, a senior Hamas official labelled it a “humiliating surrender document”, despite this the militant group said that it would be open to discussing the proposal and intended to respond within days.
The proposal was presented by US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff and called for a negotiated end of the war and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza once the hostages are released and a ceasefire is established.
Israel’s strike has cast doubt on the future of peace negotiations after Qatar immediately suspended its role as mediator in the Gaza ceasefire talks. It remains unclear as to how they will progress, Hamas confirmed that their leadership team survived, however, Israel’s strikes have marked a sudden escalation in the conflict.
It comes ahead of the United Nations General Assembly which begins this week with President Trump and Prime Minister Keir Starmer both expected to speak. Several countries including France, Australia and Canada have announced plans to recognise Palestinian statehood, aiming to pressure Israel to end the conflict and pave the way for lasting peace.
Featured Image via The White House / Shealah Craighead
