Israel’s Doha Strike: Hamas Leadership Intact, Qatar Vows Collective Response Amid Soaring Tensions

DOHA, QATAR – Israeli strikes targeting a Hamas residence in Doha on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, reportedly failed to eliminate the group’s senior leadership, with top officials, including Dr. Khalil Al-Hayya, confirmed to have survived. Israeli sources familiar with the matter informed the U.S. that the chances of success for the operation had “decreased significantly,” corroborating Hamas’s earlier claims.

While senior leaders escaped, the strike resulted in the deaths of five Hamas members and one Qatari official. The attack occurred during a critical meeting where Hamas leaders were discussing peace proposals from the United States and a paper sent by former President Trump.

The incident has sparked a furious diplomatic backlash, particularly from Qatar, a key mediator in the ongoing Israel-Hamas ceasefire negotiations. Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani condemned the strike as “state terror” and a “flagrant violation of all international laws,” expressing profound outrage and a sense of betrayal. Al-Thani announced that an upcoming Arab-Islamic summit in Doha would determine a “collective response” aimed at deterring Israel from further such actions, and called for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to be brought to justice, referencing previous International Criminal Court arrest warrants.

In response, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that Israel acted “wholly independently” and took “full responsibility” for the “surgical precision strike.” He warned Qatar to “either expel [Hamas] or you bring them to justice. Because if you don’t, we will.” Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz reiterated the nation’s resolve, stating that Israel’s “long arm will act against its enemies everywhere.”

Internationally, the strike on sovereign Qatari land drew condemnation from Arab nations, the United Kingdom, and France. U.S. President Donald Trump expressed his displeasure, stating he was “not thrilled” about the situation, emphasizing the need for hostage returns but criticizing the unilateral bombing in Qatar, a close U.S. ally and peace broker.

Despite the heightened tensions, Qatar affirmed its commitment to continuing its mediation efforts alongside Egypt to secure a ceasefire and hostage release deal between Israel and Hamas, whose primary negotiators have been based in Doha for years.

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