Israel Attempts Strike on Hamas Leaders in Doha

DOHA, Sept. 9, 2025 (Reuters) - Loud explosions rocked Doha this morning as Israel attempted to target senior Hamas officials meeting in Qatar’s capital.

The unprecedented strike in Doha marks the first known Israeli operation against Hamas leadership outside Gaza or Lebanon, underscoring the widening regional tensions.

Israeli military radio reported that the operation aimed at negotiators involved in ceasefire talks, including Khalil al-Hayya, Hamas’s chief negotiator. Witnesses described multiple blasts and plumes of smoke rising over the Katara District.

Shortly before the explosions, al-Hayya was meeting Qatar’s Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani to discuss ongoing negotiations on hostage releases and de-escalation efforts. Israeli sources indicated the timing was chosen to disrupt those talks, raising concerns about Qatar’s role as mediator.

Qatar condemned the strike as a “flagrant violation of its sovereignty,” summoning the Israeli ambassador and demanding an immediate apology. The Qatari foreign ministry warned that such actions threaten Doha’s neutrality and jeopardize regional stability.

Regional leaders reacted with alarm. Egypt’s foreign ministry urged all parties to refrain from actions that could spark further escalation, while Turkey called for an urgent United Nations Security Council session. The United States, a key ally of both Israel and Qatar, expressed deep concern and called for restraint on all sides.

Analysts warn that the strike may complicate Gaza ceasefire negotiations and erode trust in Qatar’s mediation role. Hamas officials, though shaken, vowed to press on with talks, but sources say confidence in future negotiations has been severely undermined.

As details remain fluid, international attention now turns to diplomatic efforts to contain the fallout and resume ceasefire discussions critical to reducing civilian suffering in Gaza and beyond.