Israel carried out airstrikes in Doha, the capital of Qatar, on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, targeting senior Hamas leaders.
Explosions rocked the Katara district, with plumes of smoke rising across the city.
Israeli military officials said the operation, supported by intelligence services, was aimed at members of Hamas’s political bureau, including Gaza chief Khalil al-Hayya, who were in Doha for ceasefire talks.
The Israel Defense Forces described the strike as a precision mission designed to minimise civilian casualties.
Qatar condemned the attack, calling it a violation of its sovereignty and international law.
The country’s Foreign Ministry described it as a “cowardly criminal assault” and confirmed that emergency services were immediately deployed.
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United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres denounced the strikes as a “flagrant breach of Qatari sovereignty,” urging restraint and renewed commitment to diplomatic negotiations.
The U.S. Embassy in Doha issued a shelter-in-place advisory for its staff and facilities, while regional states, including the UAE, expressed solidarity with Qatar.
Reports indicate that Hamas leaders survived the attack, though details on casualties were unclear at press time.
The strike marks the first known Israeli military operation on Qatari soil and has raised concerns about a wider escalation of the conflict across the Middle East.