{"id":215611,"date":"2025-09-10T13:40:17","date_gmt":"2025-09-10T13:40:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/215611\/"},"modified":"2025-09-10T13:40:17","modified_gmt":"2025-09-10T13:40:17","slug":"israel-attacks-hamas-leadership-in-qatar-what-we-know-israel-palestine-conflict-news","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/215611\/","title":{"rendered":"Israel attacks Hamas leadership in Qatar: What we know | Israel-Palestine conflict News"},"content":{"rendered":"

Israel struck Qatar\u2019s capital, Doha, on Tuesday, in missile attacks that it said were aimed at senior leaders of Hamas<\/a>, including negotiators from the Palestinian group who have been engaged in talks on securing a ceasefire in Gaza.<\/p>\n

Qatar condemned the attack as a violation of international law and of its sovereignty, with multiple countries<\/a> and blocs also lashing out at Israel.<\/p>\n

The attack came at a time when Qatar, one of the lead mediators between Israel and the United States, on the one hand, and Hamas on the other, had been trying to broker a ceasefire in Gaza, where Israel has killed more than 64,600 people since October 2023, when it launched a war on the Palestinian enclave.<\/p>\n

Here is what we know so far about Israel\u2019s strikes on Tuesday:<\/p>\n

What happened in Qatar?<\/p>\n

On Tuesday, around 3pm local time (12:00 GMT), multiple explosions were heard in Doha, and dark plumes of smoke rose above the skyline.<\/p>\n

People reported hearing the explosions in neighbourhoods across the city. They were also audible at Al Jazeera\u2019s office in the city.<\/p>\n

Soon after 4pm local time (13:00 GMT), Israel\u2019s military confirmed that it had fired missiles into Doha, targeting a compound believed to be hosting Hamas political leaders. Shortly after, Qatar\u2019s Foreign Ministry issued a statement condemning the attack.<\/p>\n

This is the first time that Israel has attacked Qatar, a country its own negotiators have visited repeatedly over the past two years for ceasefire talks mediated by the government in Doha.<\/p>\n

Where in Qatar did the attack take place?<\/p>\n

The attack took place in the West Bay Lagoon area in Doha, home to many foreign embassies, schools, supermarkets and compounds housing Qataris as well as residents from around the world.<\/p>\n

\"Interactive_Doha-Hamas_September9_2025\"<\/p>\n

What has Hamas said?<\/p>\n

A Hamas official told Al Jazeera Arabic that the attack targeted Hamas ceasefire negotiators<\/a>. The attack came as negotiators from Hamas were meeting to consider the latest ceasefire proposal put forth by the US.<\/p>\n

Suhail al-Hindi, a member of Hamas\u2019s political bureau, confirmed that the group\u2019s leadership, which was targeted in Doha, had survived the attack.<\/p>\n

Among those believed to have been targeted were senior leaders Khalil al-Hayya and Khaled Meshaal.<\/p>\n

But al-Hayya\u2019s son, Humam, and one of his top aides, were killed in the attack, al-Hindi told Al Jazeera. Contact had also been lost with three bodyguards, he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe blood of the leadership of the movement is like the blood of any Palestinian child,\u201d al-Hindi said.<\/p>\n

What do we know about casualties?<\/p>\n

In addition to al-Hayya\u2019s son, Humam, and an aide, Qatar confirmed late in the evening that at least one Qatari security official had died in the attack. Other members of Qatar\u2019s security forces were wounded, the country\u2019s Interior Ministry said.<\/p>\n

\u201cSpecialised crews are continuing to inspect and secure the targeted area with the explosives division of the internal security forces,\u201d the ministry said in a statement.<\/p>\n

Hamas said six people had been killed in all.<\/p>\n

What has Israel said?<\/p>\n

The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu released an X post on Tuesday stating that Israel had acted alone.<\/p>\n

\u201cToday\u2019s action against the top terrorist chieftains of Hamas was a wholly independent Israeli operation,\u201d the post read.<\/p>\n

\u201cIsrael initiated it, Israel conducted it, and Israel takes full responsibility.\u201d<\/p>\n

Netanyahu and Israel\u2019s Defence Minister, Israel Katz, issued a joint statement justifying the attack and tying it to the shooting<\/a> in occupied East Jerusalem on Monday in which six Israelis were killed.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe prime minister and defense minister believed the operation was completely justified in light of the fact that this Hamas leadership initiated and organized the October 7 massacre, and has not ceased to launch murderous actions against the State of Israel and its citizens since then,\u201d the statement said.<\/p>\n

The strikes on Doha violate the United Nations Charter \u2013 breaching Qatar\u2019s sovereignty and territorial integrity.<\/p>\n

But Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid lauded the attack in a social media post, saying: \u201cCongratulating the Air Force, [Israeli army], Shin Bet and all security forces on an exceptional operation to thwart our enemies.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Israeli ambassador to the US suggested more attempts to eliminate Hamas leaders in Qatar or elsewhere would be made.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf we didn\u2019t get them this time, we\u2019ll get them the next time,\u201d Yechiel Leiter said during an interview with the Fox News \u201cSpecial Report\u201d programme late on Tuesday.<\/p>\n

How have other Palestinian authorities reacted?<\/p>\n

Mustafa Barghouti, secretary-general of the Palestinian National Initiative, said the Israeli attack on Doha represents a \u201cturning point that will have dangerous implications\u201d for the Middle East.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis operation is against Qatar, which is leading the mediation efforts, and against the Hamas leadership that is discussing the American proposal,\u201d Barghouti said. \u201cIs there worse shamelessness?\u201d<\/p>\n

How has Qatar reacted?<\/p>\n

Majed al-Ansari, a spokesperson for Qatar\u2019s Foreign Minister, released a statement<\/a> condemning the attack. \u201cThis criminal attack constitutes a flagrant violation of all international laws and norms and a serious threat to the security and safety of Qataris and residents of Qatar,\u201d the statement read.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhile strongly condemning this attack, the State of Qatar affirms that it will not tolerate this reckless Israeli behavior and its continued tampering with regional security, as well as any action targeting its security and sovereignty. Investigations are underway at the highest level, and further details will be announced as soon as they become available.\u201d<\/p>\n

What is the latest in Qatar?<\/p>\n

Qatar\u2019s Interior Ministry said the explosions heard in Doha were a result of an attack on Hamas residential headquarters.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe ministry confirms that specialised teams are working [at the scene], and the situation is safe, and calls on everyone to obtain information from official sources,\u201d it said in a social media post.<\/p>\n

Qatar Airways confirmed in a statement that its flight operations have not been impacted.<\/p>\n

The statement reads: \u201cThe recent unfortunate events in Doha have not impacted Qatar Airways operations and there have been no disruptions as a result. The safety and security of our passengers have been and will always be our top priority.\u201d<\/p>\n

The US Embassy in Qatar had issued a shelter-in-place order for its personnel. However, it lifted the order shortly afterwards.<\/p>\n

Several countries have condemned Israel\u2019s attack on Qatar. Some Arab leaders are visiting Qatar on Wednesday and Thursday in a show of solidarity.<\/p>\n

Saudi Arabia\u2019s Foreign Ministry put out a statement saying it \u201ccondemns and denounces in the strongest terms the brutal Israeli aggression and the flagrant violation of the sovereignty of the sisterly State of Qatar\u2019. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is expected to arrive in Doha on Thursday, Reuters reported, citing an unnamed official.<\/p>\n

Riyadh also warned of the \u201cgrave consequences resulting from the Israeli occupation\u2019s persistence in its criminal transgressions and its blatant violation of the principles of international law and all international norms\u201d.<\/p>\n

Turkiye\u2019s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the attack revealed that Israel was not interested in an agreement to end the war on Gaza.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe targeting of the Hamas negotiating delegation while ceasefire talks continue shows that Israel does not aim to reach peace, but rather continue the war,\u201d the ministry said in a statement.<\/p>\n

The Iranian Foreign Ministry deemed the attack a \u201cviolation of international law\u201d, Iranian media reported.<\/p>\n

United Arab Emirates (UAE) Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan released a statement expressing solidarity with Qatar, calling the attack \u201cblatant and cowardly\u201d.\u00a0The UAE President arrived in Qatar on Wednesday.<\/p>\n

Jordan also condemned the attack. Crown Prince Hussein was also expected to arrive in Qatar on Wednesday.<\/p>\n

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif wrote in a social media post: \u201cThis act of aggression by Israel is totally unjustified, a brazen violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Qatar, and constitutes a most dangerous provocation that could imperil regional peace and stability.\u201d<\/p>\n

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called the strikes a \u201cflagrant violation\u201d of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Qatar.<\/p>\n

Egypt, Kuwait, Iraq, Syria, the Maldives, Lebanon, Morocco, Algeria, and the Gulf Cooperation Council also all condemned the attack.<\/p>\n

French President Emmanuel Macron said in a post on X that the attack on Qatar was \u201cunacceptable, whatever the reason may be\u201d, expressing solidarity with Qatar\u2019s emir. \u201cWar must under no circumstances spread in the region,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n

The United Kingdom warned against the \u201cfurther escalation of violence\u201d in the region and said that it had no prior knowledge of the attack.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Israel struck Qatar\u2019s capital, Doha, on Tuesday, in missile attacks that it said were aimed at senior leaders…\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":215612,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[372,113,337,4527,99,13191,3097,1802,50,4851,80,6673,103],"class_list":{"0":"post-215611","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-world","8":"tag-benjamin-netanyahu","9":"tag-conflict","10":"tag-explainer","11":"tag-hamas","12":"tag-israel","13":"tag-israel-palestine-conflict","14":"tag-middle-east","15":"tag-military","16":"tag-news","17":"tag-palestine","18":"tag-politics","19":"tag-qatar","20":"tag-world"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@us\/115180288503494179","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/215611","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=215611"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/215611\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/215612"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=215611"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=215611"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=215611"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}