Israel conducted an unprecedented airstrike on September 9, 2025, targeting senior Hamas leaders in Doha, Qatar, escalating the ongoing Middle East conflict to a new level and prompting swift international condemnation. The strike took place in Doha’s Leqtaifiya district, aiming at a residential compound that served as the political bureau headquarters for Hamas, where negotiators were reportedly discussing a U.S.-proposed ceasefire.
According to Israeli officials, the operation, carried out by around a dozen warplanes dropping multiple precision bombs, targeted Hamas leaders directly responsible for the October 7 attacks on Israel. The Israeli military and Shin Bet intelligence agency confirmed responsibility, describing the strike as a carefully planned effort to neutralize key Hamas figures. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu took full responsibility, describing the attack as a wholly Israeli operation.
Hamas stated that its negotiating team survived the attack, but six people were killed, including senior Hamas officials such as Jihad Lubad, office director to Khalil al-Hayya, and Hammam al-Hayya, Khalil’s son. Also among the dead were their bodyguards and a Qatari security officer. Hamas condemned the strike as an attempted assassination and a violation of international law, promising that it would not alter their core demands for a ceasefire, humanitarian aid, and prisoner exchanges.
The airstrike on Qatari soil a country hosting the U.S. regional headquarters at Al Udeid Air Base and playing a key mediating role in ceasefire negotiations sparked widespread international outrage. United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres called the attack a “flagrant violation” of Qatar’s sovereignty and urged restraint to preserve peace efforts.
GCC and Arab Nations Condemn
The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) denounced the strike as “despicable and cowardly,” highlighting its violation of international laws and treaties. The GCC pledged solidarity with Qatar and called on the international community to hold Israel accountable.
European Leaders React
European leaders condemned the attack with equal seriousness. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the strike violated Qatar’s sovereignty and risked further regional escalation. French President Emmanuel Macron labeled the attack “unacceptable,” standing in solidarity with Qatar and warning against the spread of war. Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan labeled the attack a breach of international law, expressing support for both Qatar and Palestine.
Pakistan Voices Outrage
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif described the strike as “unlawful and heinous,” expressing solidarity with Qatar and Palestine. Other Arab nations including Algeria and Mauritania echoed strong condemnation and concerns over regional security.
U.S. Expresses Discontent
U.S. President Donald Trump expressed being “very unhappy” with the operation, stating it jeopardizes peace efforts and U.S. relations with its ally Qatar. The White House confirmed U.S. officials had limited warning ahead of the strike and emphasized it does not serve U.S. or Israeli interests.
The Qatari government condemned the attack as an act of state terrorism and promptly suspended its participation in ceasefire talks. The incident has heightened tensions across the Middle East, drawing attention to the fragile state of regional peace initiatives and underscoring the urgent need for renewed diplomatic engagement to prevent further conflict escalation.
This strike marks a significant turning point in the Israel-Hamas conflict, expanding the theatre of military operations into previously untouched territory and demonstrating the complexities of balancing military strategies with ongoing peace negotiations. As the international community reacts, the focus remains on diplomatic paths to restore stability and respect for sovereignty amid a markedly volatile regional landscape.
