According to a report published by Times of Israel on Tuesday, 09 September 2025, Israel launched a targeted airstrike in Qatar’s capital, Doha, aiming to eliminate Khalil al-Hayya, a senior Hamas leader and chief negotiator based in the city. The attack, which rocked the Qatari capital with explosions, marked Israel’s first reported military operation on Qatari soil, intensifying the ongoing conflict with Hamas.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed the strike, stating it focused on high-ranking Hamas figures, with al-Hayya as the primary target due to his role in orchestrating the group’s activities, including the October 2023 attack on southern Israel that killed 1,200 people and saw 251 hostages taken. The operation utilized precise munitions to limit civilian casualties, according to an Israeli military source. Thick smoke rose over Doha’s Qatara district, where Hamas’s political office has operated since 2012 with Qatar’s approval.
On Monday, al-Hayya met with Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani to discuss a U.S.-backed ceasefire proposal, raising questions about the timing of the strike. A Hamas source confirmed to Al Jazeera that negotiators were targeted during these discussions, though Qatar’s foreign ministry has not yet issued a formal statement. The attack has strained Qatar’s role as a mediator, a position it has held alongside Egypt to broker truces, including a brief 2023 ceasefire.
Qatar, a key U.S. ally hosting the Al Udeid Air Base, has faced scrutiny for its financial support of Hamas, prompting debate in Western capitals. President Donald Trump has called for reevaluating Qatar’s status as a non-NATO ally, citing its ties to the group. The strike follows Israel’s recent Gaza offensive, including plans to capture Gaza City, as Hamas continues to hold 48 hostages.
The operation signals Israel’s determination to pursue Hamas leaders globally, risking diplomatic fallout with Qatar. International calls for de-escalation have intensified, with President Trump pushing for a comprehensive deal to end the 23-month war. However, Hamas’s demand for a permanent ceasefire and Israeli withdrawal from Gaza remains a sticking point, leaving the region on edge as the conflict’s reach expands beyond Gaza’s borders.
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