Israel targets Hamas leadership in military strikes on Qatar

Israel on Tuesday carried out a dramatic airstrike in Qatar, targeting the leadership of Hamas in the Gulf state’s capital, Doha. The unprecedented move marks a dangerous expansion of Israel’s military campaign against the Palestinian group, which has already stretched across Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, and beyond.

Qatar, which has served as a key mediator alongside Egypt in ceasefire talks, strongly condemned the strike as “cowardly” and a “blatant violation of international law,” vowing that it would not tolerate attacks on its sovereignty.

Targeting Hamas Leadership in Doha

Two Hamas officials confirmed to Reuters that members of the group’s ceasefire negotiating team survived the attack. A senior Hamas source told Al Jazeera that the strike occurred while leaders were discussing U.S. President Donald Trump’s ceasefire proposal for Gaza.

The Israeli military released a statement saying:
“The IDF and ISA conducted a precise strike targeting the senior leadership of the Hamas terrorist organisation.”

An Israeli military official told AFP the operation was code-named “Summit of Fire”, describing it as a series of airstrikes on Hamas figures in Doha.

While some Israeli media outlets suggested that the U.S. had approved the attack, the Prime Minister’s Office in Jerusalem insisted:
“Today’s action against the top terrorist chieftains of Hamas was a wholly independent Israeli operation. Israel initiated it, Israel conducted it, and Israel takes full responsibility.”

U.S. Reaction and Trump’s Response

At a White House briefing, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that Washington was informed in advance of the strike.

“Unilaterally bombing inside Qatar, a sovereign nation and close ally of the U.S., does not advance Israel or America’s goals. However, eliminating Hamas is a worthy goal,” Leavitt said, adding that President Trump had directed envoy Witkoff to immediately inform Qatari authorities before the strike.

Leavitt stressed that Trump viewed Qatar as a strong U.S. ally and had spoken with both the Qatari emir and prime minister afterward to assure them “such a thing will not happen again on their soil.”

The White House acknowledged the incident as “unfortunate” but suggested it could be turned into an opportunity for peace talks.

Qatar Condemns “Criminal Assault”

Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesperson Majed al-Ansari issued a scathing response:
“The State of Qatar strongly condemns the cowardly Israeli attack that targeted residential buildings housing several members of the Political Bureau of Hamas in Doha. This constitutes a blatant violation of international laws and norms, and poses a grave threat to Qatar’s sovereignty and regional security.”

Emergency services rushed to the scene in Doha’s Katara District, where plumes of black smoke were seen rising near the Legtifya petrol station, adjacent to a residential compound guarded by Qatari forces since the start of the Gaza war. Witnesses reported ambulances and at least 15 police and government vehicles sealing off the area.

Fallout and Global Reactions

• PLO Secretary General Hussein al-Sheikh condemned the strike as a “heinous” attack on Qatar’s sovereignty.
• Palestinian Islamic Jihad accused Israel of committing a “blatant criminal act.”
• Israel’s far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich praised the operation, declaring: “Terrorists have no immunity anywhere in the world.”
• The U.S. Embassy in Doha instructed Americans to shelter in place.
• China’s embassy issued a safety advisory urging citizens to avoid high-risk areas.

Israeli media reported that the strike specifically aimed at Hamas Gaza chief Khalil al-Hayya.

Link to Escalation in Gaza and Jerusalem

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the order followed a deadly Hamas-claimed shooting in Jerusalem the previous day.
“Following the deadly attacks in Jerusalem and Gaza, I instructed all security agencies to prepare for the possibility of targeting Hamas leaders. Today, we acted on that directive,” Netanyahu said.

The airstrike comes as Israel intensifies its ground preparations for a major assault on Gaza City, with Netanyahu warning residents:
“Leave now. What you’ve seen is only the beginning. This is the prelude to our main ground manoeuvre.”

Ceasefire Prospects in Jeopardy

The Doha strike risks derailing ceasefire negotiations that Qatar, Egypt, and the U.S. have been brokering. Despite two temporary truces, the nearly two-year conflict in Gaza has continued, leaving more than 64,000 Palestinians dead.

President Trump recently warned Hamas in a social media post:
“The Israelis have accepted my terms. Hamas must accept as well. This is my last warning.”

Hamas responded that it was ready to negotiate, calling for:

• A clear declaration of the end of the war
• Full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza
• Formation of an independent Palestinian committee to govern Gaza

Israel, however, insists Hamas must release all prisoners at once, disarm, and give up control of Gaza before any truce can be finalized.

A Turning Point in the War

With Israel now striking inside Qatar—a U.S. ally hosting a major American military base—the war appears to have entered a new, more dangerous phase. Analysts warn the move could undermine fragile ceasefire efforts while deepening the regional crisis.