In a move that has sent shockwaves throughout the Middle East and beyond, Israel launched an unprecedented airstrike on a residential compound in Doha, Qatar, on Tuesday, September 9, 2025. The attack, which targeted Hamas’s exiled political leadership as they met to consider a US-backed Gaza ceasefire proposal, marks the first time Israel has struck inside a Gulf monarchy, setting a dangerous new precedent for regional security. The fallout has been immediate and dramatic, with diplomatic relations strained, global condemnation mounting, and the prospects for peace in Gaza thrown into further uncertainty.
The Israeli strike, which killed six people—including five Hamas members and a Qatari security officer—was aimed at eliminating what Israeli officials described as hardline elements within Hamas who were resisting a ceasefire deal. According to The Independent, among those targeted was Khalil al-Hayya, Hamas’s chief negotiator based in Doha, along with fellow politburo members Khaled Mashal and three others involved in the US-mediated talks. Despite the precision of the attack, Hamas reported that its senior negotiators survived, though the son of Khalil al-Hayya and several close aides were among the dead.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog, speaking from London, explained the rationale behind the strike: “We targeted those who refused to accept the deal, including primarily, al-Hayya whose hands carried the blood of thousands of Israelis.” Herzog accused al-Hayya of stalling negotiations, saying, “He kept on procrastinating and not getting to a deal by refusing adamantly to get to a deal – sometimes saying ‘Yes’, sometimes saying ‘No’, and sometimes saying ‘Yes’, but his conditions were impossible to meet.” Israeli sources further indicated that the operation was intended to “cut the extremists out of the negotiating process” and potentially empower more pragmatic Hamas leaders on the ground in Gaza, such as Izz al-Din al-Haddad, the Qassam Brigades commander.
Yet, the strike has been widely condemned, not only for its violation of Qatari sovereignty but also for its timing—occurring as delicate ceasefire negotiations were underway. Qatar, which has played a central role as a mediator alongside Egypt and the United States, reacted with fury. Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani called the attack an act of “state terror” and accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of “killing any hope” for a deal to release Israeli hostages held in Gaza. In an interview with CNN, al-Thani said, “I think that what Netanyahu has done yesterday, he just killed any hope for those hostages,” and described the attack as “barbaric.” He added, “Israel is trying to rearrange the region by force… but we will continue our humanitarian and diplomatic role without any hesitation in order to stop the bloodshed.”
The international response has been swift. The United Nations Security Council, with the support of the United States, issued a statement expressing “deep concern” and emphasizing the need for de-escalation, though it notably stopped short of naming Israel directly. The statement conveyed solidarity with Qatar and highlighted its “vital role” in mediating peace efforts. President Donald Trump, meanwhile, has expressed his dissatisfaction with Israel’s unilateral action, stating it “did not advance Israel or America’s goals” and that he was “not thrilled about it.” However, Trump also suggested that “this unfortunate incident could serve as an opportunity for peace.” He is expected to meet with Qatari Prime Minister al-Thani in New York ahead of an emergency Arab-Islamic summit in Doha, underscoring the gravity of the crisis.
The attack has also drawn criticism from other international figures, including UK Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer and former US President Donald Trump. Starmer called the strikes “completely unacceptable” and said they “do nothing to secure the peace we all desperately want to see.” The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the Arab League have been urged to respond with more than just words, as many in the region see the strike as a test of whether Arab states can mount a collective response to Israeli actions that cross new red lines.
For Qatar, the attack has prompted a period of soul-searching regarding its role as a mediator. The country’s foreign ministry spokesperson, Dr. Majed al-Ansari, described Netanyahu as a “narcissistic saboteur-in-chief” and warned that Israel’s actions put a “target on the back” of any country attempting to facilitate peace. Funeral services for the victims were held at Doha’s Imam Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab Mosque, attended by Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, underscoring the national significance of the incident.
The repercussions extend well beyond Qatar’s borders. The strike has further strained US-Israel relations, with reports suggesting that President Trump’s advisers were “genuinely shocked” by the attack. According to Axios, Trump demanded assurances from Netanyahu that such strikes would not be repeated, saying, “It’s unacceptable. I demand that you do not repeat it.” The US, which maintains its largest military base in the Middle East in Qatar, now finds itself in a delicate balancing act between two key allies.
Regionally, the attack has heightened tensions and prompted diplomatic maneuvers. Qatar has reportedly urged the United Arab Emirates to close its embassy in Tel Aviv, while the UAE is said to be considering the request. Meanwhile, Israel’s ongoing military campaign in Gaza continues unabated, with a death toll that local officials say has reached 67,000, more than half of whom are women and children. The humanitarian crisis in Gaza, coupled with Israel’s push for further settlement expansion in the West Bank, has only deepened the sense of isolation for the Israeli government on the world stage.
For Hamas, the attack has not changed its terms for a ceasefire. As official Fawzi Barhoum stated in a televised address, “This attack was a blatant confirmation by Netanyahu and his criminal gang of their refusal to reach any agreement and their insistence on derailing all regional and international efforts aimed at halting the genocide.” Barhoum reaffirmed the group’s demands: a full ceasefire, withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, a real prisoner-for-hostage exchange, humanitarian relief, and reconstruction of the enclave.
As the dust settles in Doha, the region finds itself at a crossroads. The Israeli airstrike has upended established norms, called into question the viability of mediation, and raised the specter of further escalation. With an emergency summit set to convene in Doha and diplomatic channels working overtime, the coming days will be critical in determining whether this incident becomes a catalyst for renewed peace efforts—or a harbinger of even greater instability.
