Israeli Airstrike Hits Hamas Leaders in Qatar

An Israeli airstrike struck Doha’s Katara district on September 9, 2025, targeting a meeting of Hamas leaders reportedly discussing a U.S. ceasefire proposal. 

Israeli Airstrike Hits Hamas Leaders in Qatar

By Bing Jabadan – TheNationWeek.Com | September 11, 2025

DOHA, Qatar – In an escalation of the ongoing conflict, Israel on Tuesday (Sept. 9, 2025) launched an airstrike targeting Hamas leaders in Doha, Qatar, marking a significant expansion of its military operations across the Middle East.

The strike, which targeted the Palestinian group’s long-standing political base, has drawn sharp condemnation from Qatar and casts a shadow over ongoing ceasefire negotiations.

Qatar, a key mediator alongside Egypt in efforts to broker a ceasefire in the nearly two-year-old Gaza conflict, denounced the attack as a “cowardly” act and a “flagrant violation of international law.”

The strike targeted a residential building in Doha housing members of Hamas’s political bureau.

According to Hamas sources, officials involved in ceasefire negotiations survived the attack.

The strike followed an evacuation order in Gaza City, where Israel is conducting an offensive aimed at dismantling Hamas’s military capabilities.

Al Jazeera reported that the targeted Hamas leaders were discussing a ceasefire proposal put forth by United States President Donald Trump at the time of the attack.

While the Israeli military confirmed conducting a “precise strike targeting the senior leadership of the Hamas terrorist organization,” it did not specify the location.

An Israeli military official later told AFP that the operation in Doha was code-named “Summit of Fire” and involved airstrikes.

The timing and location of the strike have raised questions about U.S. involvement.

Some Israeli media outlets reported that Trump had authorized the attack.

However, the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office asserted that the operation was “a wholly independent Israeli operation,” initiated and conducted solely by Israel.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that the Trump administration was notified by the U.S. military that Israel was attacking Hamas in Doha.

She stressed that “unilaterally bombing inside Qatar, a sovereign nation and close ally of the U.S.,” did not advance either country’s goals.

However, she reiterated that eliminating Hamas was a “worthy goal.”

Leavitt added that Trump directed his special envoy to inform Qatari officials of the impending attack and assured them that such an incident would not happen again on their soil.

She also conveyed Trump’s belief that the “unfortunate incident” could potentially serve as an opportunity for peace.

The strike comes in the wake of a deadly shooting in Jerusalem claimed by Hamas, prompting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to instruct security agencies to prepare for targeting Hamas leaders.

The assault is likely to jeopardize ongoing efforts to reach a ceasefire, particularly as negotiations have been taking place in Qatar.

Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesperson Majed al-Ansari condemned the attack, emphasizing Qatar’s commitment to regional security and sovereignty.

He said investigations are underway at the highest level.

The head of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) also condemned the attack, calling it a “serious violation of international law and the sovereignty of the State of Qatar.”

Israel’s far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich praised the targeting of Hamas leaders, stating that “terrorists have no immunity.”

The U.S. embassy in Qatar issued a shelter-in-place advisory to citizens, while the Chinese embassy issued a safety advisory to its nationals.

The strikes occurred less than two weeks after a vow by Israeli armed forces chief Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir to target Hamas leaders based abroad.

Hamas and Israel have engaged in multiple rounds of indirect ceasefire negotiations brokered by Qatar, Egypt, and the U.S. throughout the Gaza conflict.

Despite temporary truces, a lasting end to the fighting has remained elusive.

Trump recently issued a “last warning” to Hamas, urging the group to accept a deal to release Israeli prisoners.

Hamas responded by expressing its readiness to negotiate, but with demands including a clear declaration of the end of the war and a full withdrawal from Gaza.

Today’s attack is unfolding as Israel intensifies its assault on Gaza City.

On Monday, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu urged residents to evacuate the city.

The situation remains volatile, with the potential for further escalation and significant implications for the region.