The aftermath of Israel’s recent airstrike in Doha, Qatar, has sent shockwaves through diplomatic circles, igniting a firestorm of condemnation and raising difficult questions about sovereignty, international law, and the ongoing conflict in Gaza. As world leaders scramble to respond, the incident has become a focal point for debates about the boundaries of military action and the prospects for peace in the Middle East.
On Tuesday, September 9, 2025, Israel’s Defence Forces carried out what they described as a “precise strike” in the Qatari capital, targeting the senior leadership of Hamas. According to the Israeli military, the operation was aimed at the “senior leadership of the Hamas terrorist organisation.” The strike resulted in the deaths of five Hamas members and one Qatari security officer, as confirmed by both Israeli and Qatari officials. Hamas itself reported that six people were killed, though the group’s top leadership, including its negotiations team, survived the attack.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was quick to claim responsibility, stating, “Israel initiated it, Israel conducted it, and Israel takes full responsibility” for the attack. He further described the operation as a “surgical, precision strike” and argued that it was “completely justified” in light of a recent attack in Jerusalem, for which Hamas had claimed responsibility and which left six people dead. Netanyahu’s stance was echoed by the Israeli Defence Forces, who maintained that the strike was a necessary measure against a group they regard as a terrorist organization.
The international response, however, was swift and overwhelmingly critical. Qatar, which has long played a mediating role in negotiations between Israel and Hamas, condemned the attack as a “blatant violation of international law.” The country’s UN ambassador, Alya Ahmed Saif Al-Thani, addressed the United Nations Security Council, calling the airstrike a “criminal assault” and a “cowardly act.” She stated firmly, “Qatar will not tolerate this reckless Israeli behavior and the ongoing disruption of regional security,” adding that the strike “constitutes a blatant violation of all international laws and norms.” Qatar’s interior ministry confirmed that a member of its security forces was among the dead, and Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani spoke directly with U.S. officials, vowing that Qatar would “take all necessary measures to protect its security and preserve its sovereignty.”
The United States, for its part, was drawn into the controversy after it emerged that the U.S. military had notified the administration of President Donald Trump about the impending strike. Trump, speaking on September 10, 2025, was at pains to distance himself from the decision, stating, “It was not a decision made by me. Unilaterally bombing inside Qatar, a sovereign nation and close ally of the United States, that is working very hard and bravely taking risks with us to broker peace, does not advance Israel or America’s goals.” Nevertheless, he added that “eliminating Hamas is a worthy goal,” and suggested that “this unfortunate incident could serve as an opportunity for peace.” Trump told reporters he was “not thrilled” about the strike and promised to make a “full statement” soon.
In the United Kingdom, the airstrike became a major point of contention ahead of Israeli President Isaac Herzog’s visit to London. UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer issued a strong condemnation, calling the strike “a violation of Qatar’s sovereignty and a risk of regional escalation.” Starmer’s statement, released ahead of his scheduled meeting with Herzog, emphasized, “The priority must be an immediate ceasefire, the release of hostages and a huge surge in aid into Gaza. This is the only solution towards long-lasting peace.” He reiterated these points in a call with Qatar’s Emir, offering condolences for the death of the Qatari security officer and describing the attack as a “flagrant violation of Qatar’s sovereignty.”
Starmer’s condemnation came amid ongoing debates in the UK Parliament and civil society about the country’s stance on the Gaza conflict. Some Labour backbenchers and opposition parties, including the Greens and the Scottish National Party, called for Herzog’s visit to be cancelled, warning that welcoming the Israeli president could be seen as complicity in alleged war crimes. Sixty MPs and peers signed a letter urging the government to deny Herzog entry to the UK. Green Party leader Zack Polanski, speaking to Sky News, said, “Welcoming a potential war criminal to the UK is another demonstration of how this Labour government is implicated in the ongoing genocide in Gaza. It also serves as a brutal insult to those mourning the thousands of innocent lives lost and to hundreds of thousands of Palestinians facing ongoing violence and hunger.”
Herzog’s visit is the first by a senior Israeli leader to the UK since Foreign Affairs Minister Gideon Sa’ar’s trip in the spring. Herzog, who holds a largely ceremonial role and is from a different political party than Netanyahu, has previously clashed with the prime minister over judicial reforms but has broadly supported Israel’s military campaign in Gaza. His past statements have also drawn scrutiny. In October 2023, Herzog asserted that “the entire [Palestinian] nation out there … is responsible. It is not true this rhetoric about civilians not aware, not involved.” This comment was cited in a January 2024 International Court of Justice order, which found that Palestinians in Gaza were at “imminent risk” of genocide and ordered Israel to protect the population from acts prohibited by the Genocide Convention. Herzog has since claimed that his remarks were misrepresented by the court.
As Herzog arrived in London, protests erupted outside Downing Street, with demonstrators denouncing both the strike in Qatar and the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The UK government, meanwhile, insisted it had no prior knowledge of the Israeli operation and described it as an “entirely independent operation.” White House officials confirmed that the U.S. was informed in advance, but did not participate in the planning or execution of the strike.
The broader context for these dramatic developments is the ongoing war in Gaza, which has drawn international scrutiny and legal challenges. Israel has strongly denied accusations of genocide, but the International Court of Justice in The Hague is currently considering a case on the matter, and several human rights organizations have accused Israel of violating international law.
With diplomatic tensions running high, many observers are left wondering if the Doha airstrike will mark a turning point or simply deepen existing divides. As calls for a ceasefire and increased humanitarian aid grow louder, leaders on all sides face mounting pressure to find a path toward peace—one that respects sovereignty, upholds international law, and addresses the urgent needs of civilians caught in the crossfire.
