Israel has confirmed it carried out a targeted military strike against senior Hamas leaders in Doha, Qatar, on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, marking the first known Israeli attack on the militant group within the Gulf nation.
Among those targeted was Hamas’ chief negotiator Khalil Al-Hayya, “We are awaiting the results of the strike.”
The operation, dubbed Summit of Fire by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), was described by the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office as a “wholly independent Israeli operation.”
Qatar, a key mediator in Gaza ceasefire negotiations, strongly condemned the attack.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Majed Al Ansari called it, “a cowardly Israeli attack… targeting residential buildings housing several members of the Hamas political bureau in Doha.”
“The State of Qatar emphasizes that it will not tolerate this reckless and irresponsible Israeli behavior,” Al Ansari added.
A senior Hamas official confirmed that members of the group’s negotiating team were present at the targeted location.
The United States was reportedly informed ahead of the strike, though it has not yet issued an official response.
The incident threatens to destabilize ongoing ceasefire talks and raises tensions between Israel and Qatar, a close U.S. ally in the region.