Hamas vows to continue its struggle following an Israeli
airstrike in Doha that targeted its leadership, as Qatar condemns the strike as
"state terror" and an emergency Arab-Islamic summit is planned to
discuss the response. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warns of further
strikes if Hamas leaders are not expelled or brought to justice, while Qatar
calls for a collective regional response.
Israeli Airstrike on Qatar’s Capital
An Israeli airstrike targeted the capital of Qatar, Doha, on Tuesday, aiming to eliminate high-ranking Hamas members including leaders involved in ceasefire negotiations. As reported by Fawzi Barhoum, Hamas spokesperson, in an Al Jazeera press briefing, the strike was designed to "torpedo" ongoing negotiations and would not weaken Hamas' resolve. Barhoum stated,
“The Israeli assault will not weaken our determination by targeting our leaders,”
and described the attack as one not only on the negotiating
team but on the entire negotiation framework itself.
The strike occurred while Hamas officials were meeting in
Doha to deliberate on the latest US ceasefire proposal amid the Gaza conflict,
which has resulted in over 64,600 deaths since October 2023. According to
Barhoum, the strike sought to harm Qatar’s role as a supporter of the
"wronged and oppressed" and did not alter Hamas' fundamental demands
for a complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and reconstruction of the
territory.
Casualties and Damage
Hamas confirmed that five of its lower-level members were
killed, including the son of Khalil al-Hayya, Hamas’s chief negotiator who was
present but survived the strike. Qatar reported at least one of its internal
security personnel was also killed. Israeli officials have not disclosed the
precise outcomes nor confirmed whether their primary targets were eliminated.
Reactions from Hamas and Qatar
Hamas has publicly vowed to maintain its armed fight against
Israel and persist in its objectives. Fawzi Barhoum reiterated the ongoing
blockade and bombardment in Gaza as a "comprehensive war crime"
inflicted by Israel.
Qatar’s Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani
condemned the attack as “state terror” during an interview with CNN. He warned
of a regional response, stating, “The entire Gulf region is in jeopardy,” and
that discussions were underway to coordinate a collective response with
regional partners. Prime Minister al-Thani also said the attack had
"killed any hope" for the hostages held in Gaza and questioned the
sincerity of Israel’s negotiation efforts.
Israeli Official Statements and Warnings
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed responsibility for the strike, presenting it as a part of Israel's commitment to retaliate for the deadly Hamas-led attack on Israel in October 2023. Netanyahu criticized Qatar for harbouring terrorists and funding Hamas, asserting that
“the days in which terrorist leaders enjoy immunity anywhere have ended”.
Shortly after the strike, Netanyahu issued a stark warning to Qatar and countries sheltering terrorists:
“either expel them or bring them to justice. If you fail to do so, we will take action.”
Israeli Ambassador to
the United States Yechiel Leiter affirmed that if the recent strike did not
achieve its goal of eliminating Hamas leaders, Israel would act again in the
future.
International and Regional Fallout
The attack drew swift condemnation from multiple
international actors. The United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres
called it a “flagrant violation” of Qatar’s sovereignty and urged all parties
to work towards achieving a permanent ceasefire instead of undermining it.
Several Security Council members including Algeria, France, Pakistan, and the
United Kingdom condemned the strike.
Qatar responded by calling an emergency Arab-Islamic summit
scheduled for 15 September in Doha, inviting regional states to discuss a
unified response to what it termed Israel’s “cowardly” and “barbaric” attack.
Qatar is reportedly considering legal measures and other actions against
Israel.
Former US President Donald Trump criticized the strike for
damaging US credibility and stated the operation "did not advance Israeli
or American objectives." The US officially distanced itself from the
airstrike, emphasising that it was a unilateral Israeli action. Despite US ties
to both Israel and Qatar, the incident has strained diplomatic efforts around
the Gaza ceasefire.
Strategic Context and Significance
Before this attack, Qatar was considered a relatively secure
place for Hamas leaders due to its role as a mediator hosting the group's
political bureau. The Israeli strike demonstrates a shift in Israel’s military
posture, expanding its operations beyond traditional conflict zones like Gaza
and Lebanon into Gulf countries viewed as off-limits in the past.
Israeli security officials describe the strike as part of an
evolving strategy to ensure terror leaders do not find safe havens. However,
experts caution the escalation could produce unintended regional consequences,
complicating fragile ties between Israel and Gulf Arab states, and potentially
undermining ongoing peace and hostage negotiations.
The Israeli airstrike in Doha marks an unprecedented move targeting Hamas leadership on Qatari soil, deepening tensions in the Middle East and threatening the prospects of peace negotiations. Hamas remains defiant, promising to continue its fight, while Qatar mobilizes a regional response against what it calls state terrorism. Israeli officials warn of further actions if demands are unmet. The attack has fractured diplomatic efforts surrounding the Gaza conflict, with the international community split over reactions and calls for restraint.