Israel attacks Hamas leaders in Qatar, draws worldwide condemnation

DOHA: Israel launched an airstrike against Hamas leaders in Qatar on Tuesday, expanding its military actions that have ranged across the Middle East to include the Gulf Arab state where the Palestinian Islamist group has long had its political office.

Qatar, which has acted as a mediator alongside Egypt in talks on a ceasefire in the almost two-year-old war in Gaza, condemned the attack as “cowardly” and called it a flagrant violation of international law.

Several blasts were heard in Qatar’s Doha, Reuters witnesses said. Plumes of black smoke were billowing from the city’s Legtifya petrol station. Next door to the petrol station is a small residential compound that has been guarded by Qatar’s Emiri Guard 24 hours a day since the beginning of the Gaza conflict.

Ambulances and at least 15 police and unmarked government cars thronged the streets around the blast site an hour after the strike.

Two Hamas sources told Reuters that Hamas officials in the ceasefire negotiating team survived the attack, which followed an evacuation order in Gaza City where Israel is waging an offensive to try to destroy the group and its military capabilities in the Gaza Strip.

The Israeli strike in Doha involved more than 10 fighter jets which fired more than 10 munitions, according to an Israeli official.

The jets required mid-air refueling for the long-range strike, the official said, and they all struck a single target in the Qatari capital.

The operation was “months in the making,” two Israeli sources told CNN, but the planning was accelerated in recent weeks.

Israeli officials told Reuters the strike was aimed at top Hamas leaders including Khalil al-Hayya, its exiled Gaza chief and top negotiator.

Suhail al-Hindi, a member of Hamas’s political bureau, confirms that the group’s leadership that was targeted in Doha has survived the attack.

Al-Hindi said the attempt to kill Khalil al-Hayya and other Hamas leaders who were meeting to discuss Trump’s ceasefire proposal has failed.

But the attack killed al-Hayya’s son, Humam, and one of his top aides. Contact has also been lost with three other bodyguards, al-Hindi said.

But he stressed that the loss of any lives is tragic. “The blood of the leadership of the movement is like the blood of any Palestinian child,” he told Al Jazeera.

Qatar’s Interior Ministry says a member of the country’s security forces was killed and others were injured while responding at the site of the Israeli strikes.

“Specialised crews are continuing to inspect and secure the targeted area with the explosives division of the internal security forces,” the ministry said.

The strikes on Doha, which targeted a residential neighbourhood, appear to violate several provisions of international law, including the UN Charter’s prohibition on aggression against independent states.

Al Jazeera Arabic correspondent Farah al-Zaman says panic across the Qatari capital is subsiding after hours of heavy traffic, confusion and fear in the aftermath of the Israeli attack.

Al-Zaman said there is now less of a security presence outside the immediate area of the strikes.

She noted that the attack targeted a densely populated neighbourhood near foreign embassies and a major road that cuts through Doha, adding that the bombing took place at the end of the school day as children were returning home.

“But the Interior Ministry is affirming – including through the crews that are passing us – that security is in place and that it has things under control,” she said.

Al Jazeera correspondent Suhaib al-Assa reports the site that was targeted by Israel in Doha is in a residential neighbourhood, not an isolated area.

Al-Assa cited security officials as saying that their priority is to secure the scene and locate damage and casualties.

“The security procedures are very complex because we are talking about an extremely sensitive site,” he said.

The attack took place shortly after Hamas’ armed wing, the al-Qassam Brigades, claimed responsibility for a shooting that killed six people at a bus stop on the outskirts of Jerusalem on Monday.

The assault is likely to deal a serious, if not fatal, blow to efforts to reach a ceasefire, especially since negotiations took place in the Gulf Arab country Qatar.

The Hamas delegation has been meeting in Doha to discuss the latest US proposal to bring a cessation of hostilities, as the Israeli forces have been pushing forward a plan to seize Gaza City.

The Israeli military, meanwhile, issued evacuation orders for residents of Gaza City, causing panic and confusion, after Israel said it was about to obliterate the area in an assault to wipe out Hamas.

Residents of Gaza’s biggest urban area, home to a million Palestinians before the war, have been expecting an onslaught for weeks, since the Israeli government devised a plan to deal Hamas a fatal blow in what it says are the group’s last strongholds.

Anxiety was spreading through a tent area in Gaza City housing displaced cancer patients.

“There’s no place left, not in the south, nor the north, nothing. We’ve become completely trapped,” said Bajess al-Khaldi, a displaced cancer patients, as people looked on at the rubble of several buildings destroyed in an Israeli attack.

Israel has killed several top Hamas leaders since the Palestinian militant group attacked Israel in October 2023, killing 1,200 people and taking 251 hostage, according to Israeli tallies.

Israel has also launched airstrikes and other military action in Lebanon, Syria, Iran and Yemen in the course of the Gaza conflict.

American military sources within the region just told Aljazeera that they were not aware of this attack and that they were only notified. However, a White House official says Israel notified the United States before it carried out airstrikes on Doha.

“We were informed in advance,” the official tells AFP on condition of anonymity about the strike on Qatar, a key US ally that’s home to a large US military base.

However, later, in its official reaction, the United States said that Israel’s strike in Qatar “does not advance Israel or America’s goals”, adding that President Donald Trump “feels very badly” about the attack.

The White House described Israel’s strike in Qatar as counter to President Donald Trump’s goal of achieving peace in Gaza.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the site of attack, in a residential neighborhood in the Qatari capital Doha, was “unfortunate.”

“This morning, the Trump administration was notified by the United States military that Israel was attacking Hamas, which very unfortunately was located in a section of Doha, the capital of Qatar,” she told reporters at the White House briefing. “Unilaterally bombing inside Qatar, a sovereign nation and close ally of the United States that is working very hard in bravely taking risks with us to broker peace, does not advance Israel or America’s goals,” she said.

Still, Leavitt’s carefully worded statement made clear that “eliminating Hamas” was a “worthy goal,” and stopped short of condemning Israel’s actions.

She said Trump had spoken to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu following the attack, along with the emir and prime minister of Qatar.

Netanyahu “told President Trump that he wants to make peace and quickly, President Trump believes this unfortunate incident could serve as an opportunity for peace,” Leavitt said.

In his conversation with the Qataris, Trump “assured them that such a thing will not happen again on their soil,” Leavitt said.

Leavitt also read a statement from Trump at a briefing Tuesday. It said the US was notified of Israel’s attack on Hamas, with a strike “very unfortunately” taking place in the capital Doha.

Leavitt said: “President Trump immediately directed Special Envoy [Steve] Witkoff to inform the Qataris of the impending attack, which he did. The president views Qatar as a strong ally and friend of the United States.”

“The president also spoke to the emir and prime minister of Qatar and thanked them for their support and friendship to our country. He assured them that such a thing will not happen again on their soil,” she added.

Leavitt did not specify when the US notified the Qataris of the attack.

Meanwhile, in a joint statement, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his defence minister link the attack in Doha to the East Jerusalem shooting that killed six Israelis on Monday.

“The prime minister and defense minister believed the operation was completely justified in light of the fact that this Hamas leadership initiated and organised the October 7 massacre, and has not ceased to launch murderous actions against the State of Israel and its citizens since then,” the statement alleged.

In a social media post, Amir Ohana, speaker of the Israeli Knesset, has shared a video of the Israeli strikes on Doha with a caption in Arabic that reads: “This is a message for the entire Middle East.”

Critics have been accusing Israel of operating as a rogue state, waging aggressions well-beyond its borders in violation of international law.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres was very quick to react to the situation in Doha, condemning the attack as a flagrant violation of sovereignty and the territorial integrity of Qatar, which he noted has played an integral role in the peace negotiations between Hamas and Israel.

This remark was made at a time when the General Assembly’s 80th session was about to kick off, at a time when the United Nations’ role in international affairs and ability to uphold international standards is being questioned.

The secretary-general had been scheduled to give remarks about military spending, and he actually used this opportunity to segue into a report that he’s releasing, calling for less military spending on fighting worldwide and more money on social structures and peace.

It also comes at a time when UN peacekeeping funding is under threat.

This is a distraction from the UN’s role as an international mediator, as conflicts like this, as he noted, are in clear violation of international law, continues.

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) has expressed support for Qatar and condemned the Israel’s attack, calling on the international community to hold Israel accountable for violations of international law.

“His Excellency Jassim Mohammed Al-Budaiwi, Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), condemned in the strongest terms the despicable and cowardly operation carried out by the Israeli occupation forces on the territory of the sisterly State of Qatar,” a statement from the group reads.

GCC countries “stand in full solidarity with the sisterly State of Qatar and stand with it in any action it takes against this treacherous aggression, which has violated and torn apart all international laws and treaties adopted by the countries of the world”, it adds.

“This requires the international community to immediately rise up and fulfill its duties to hold the Israeli occupation forces accountable for their brutal and serious crimes and to deter them from all their practices that have begun to destabilise and undermine security in the region.”

Meanwhile, Qatar’s Foreign Ministry said: “Qatar strongly condemns the cowardly Israeli attack that targeted residential buildings housing several members of the Political Bureau of Hamas in the Qatari capital, Doha. This criminal assault constitutes a blatant violation of all international laws and norms, and poses a serious threat to the security and safety of Qataris and residents in Qatar.”

“While the State of Qatar strongly condemns this assault, it confirms that it will not tolerate this reckless Israeli behaviour and the ongoing disruption of regional security, nor any act that targets its security and sovereignty,” Foreign Ministry spokesperson Majed Al Ansari said on X.

Saudi Arabia also condemned and denounced in the strongest terms the brutal Israeli aggression and flagrant violation of the sovereignty of the sisterly State of Qatar. The Foreign Ministry statement warned of “The dire consequences resulting from the Israeli occupation’s persistence in its criminal violations and its blatant violation of the principles of international law and all international norms.”

Meanwhile, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held a telephone conversation with Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.

The prime minister strongly condemned the unlawful and heinous bombing in Doha by Israeli forces that resulted in the loss of precious lives and damage to civilian property. He conveyed his deepest sympathies and expressed solidarity with the Emir, the Qatari royal family, as well as with the people of Qatar.

The prime minister termed Israel’s attack as a dastardly act that showed the mindset of its leaders, who were willing to go to any length in the blind pursuit of their nefarious goals. He called the Israeli aggression a brazen violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Qatar that posed a most dangerous provocation and could imperil regional peace and stability.

He assured the emir that Pakistan stood like a rock with the State of Qatar against Israel’s aggression and called for unity within the ranks of the Ummah at this critical time.

While thanking the prime minister for his telephone call as well as for the sincere expression of solidarity with the people of Qatar at this challenging moment, the emir said that he was deeply touched by this thoughtful gesture shown by the prime minister that reflected the deep-rooted brotherly ties between Pakistan and Qatar.

Separately, in a post on ‘X’, PM Shehbaz said: “On behalf of the people and Government of Pakistan as well as on my own behalf, I strongly condemn the unlawful and heinous bombing in Doha by Israeli forces, targeting a residential area, and endangering the lives of innocent civilians. Our deepest sympathies and solidarity are with the Amir, His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the Qatari Royal Family, as well as the people of Qatar at this difficult time.

“This 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. Pakistan stands firmly with the State of Qatar, as well as with the people of Palestine against Israel’s aggression.”

President Asif Ali Zardari has also expressed profound sorrow and strong condemnation of the Israeli strike on Doha. According to an announcement of Aiwan-e-Sadr, the president termed the assault on Qatar’s sovereignty unacceptable and a grave threat to regional peace, reaffirming that Pakistan stands shoulder to shoulder with the leadership and people of Qatar in this difficult hour.

Meanwhile the Foreign Ministry, in a statement said that Pakistan condemns in the strongest possible terms the Israeli aggression against the brotherly country of Qatar. This highly provocative and reckless action constitutes a blatant violation of Qatar’s sovereignty as well as international law, the UN Charter, and the established norms governing interstate relations.

Pakistan expresses its complete solidarity with the brotherly State of Qatar against this unprovoked and unlawful aggression.

“This reckless action by Israel is yet another manifestation of its continued disregard for international peace and security, and its policy of destabilising the region. Pakistan has consistently maintained that such impunity must not be tolerated by the international community,” the statement said.

“We reaffirm our principled position in support of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Qatar, and call upon the international community to hold Israel accountable.

“Pakistan will continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with the brotherly people and the leadership of Qatar in defence of their national sovereignty and security, the statement concluded.

Meanwhile, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said: “It falls within the series of aggressions committed by Israel, which demonstrate its determination to strike all efforts made to achieve stability and security in the countries of the region.”

UAE Foreign Ministry said the United Arab Emirates strongly condemned the “blatant and cowardly” Israeli attack on Qatar, which is a dangerous escalation that violates international law and the sovereignty of a fellow Gulf state.

Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan said in a statement the UAE stands in full solidarity with Qatar and supports all measures to protect its security.

Anwar Gargash, diplomatic adviser to the UAE’s president, said: “The security of the Arab Gulf states is indivisible, and we stand heart and soul with the sisterly State of Qatar, condemning the treacherous Israeli attack that targeted it, and affirming our full solidarity with it in confronting this aggression.”

Turkiye’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the Israel’s attack, saying it shows Israel is not interested in an agreement to end the war on Gaza.

“The targeting of the Hamas negotiating delegation while ceasefire talks continue shows that Israel does not aim to reach peace, but rather continue the war,” the ministry said in a statement.

“This situation is clear proof that Israel has adopted its expansionist politics in the region and terrorism as a state policy.”

Kuwait issued a statement through its Ministry of Foreign Affairs strongly condemning what it described as “the brutal aggression against the State of Qatar by the unjust Israeli forces”.

The Jordanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates condemned the Israeli bombing as a flagrant violation of international law and the UN Charter and called it a blatant attack on the sovereignty and security of Qatar.

Ministry spokesman Fuad Majali said the Israeli attack constitutes a violation of the sovereignty of an Arab state and is a dangerous and unacceptable provocative escalation that pushes the region towards further violence and conflict and threatens regional and international security and stability.

Iran described the attack as a “gross violation”, and Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said the “extremely dangerous and criminal action is a gross violation of all international rules and regulations, a violation of Qatar’s national sovereignty and territorial integrity”.

Iraq’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs also criticised the attack, calling it a “cowardly act” and expressing “full support” for Qatar to confront any aggression.

Hussein al-Sheikh, vice president of the State of Palestine and vice chairman of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organisation, said: “We strongly condemn the heinous Israeli attack targeting the sisterly State of Qatar.”

The director general of the Government Media Office in Gaza, Ismail al-Thawabta, said: “The ‘Israeli’ occupation committed a cowardly assassination crime in the heart of the Qatari capital, Doha, the mediating state in negotiations between the Palestinian resistance and the occupation.”

The Palestinian Islamic Jihad armed group described the attack as a “blatant criminal act”.

Mahdi al-Mashat, head of the Houthi Supreme Political Council, said Arab and Muslim countries must “pay attention” to Israel’s plans before it’s too late.

“We warn against a formula for the violations of all countries in the region,” al-Mashat said. “What happened in Doha will happen again and more in the rest of the countries if we do not all unite in confronting the Zionist threat.”

The Maldives also described the attack as “cowardly and a serious violation of international law”.

“The Maldives stands in solidarity with the State of Qatar and calls on the international community to take urgent and unified action to hold Israel accountable for its numerous and continued violations of international norms and principles,” President Mohamed Muizzu posted on X.

Meanwhile, France, Spain and the United Kingdom also condemned Israel’s airstrikes.

Both British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron condemned the strikes, warning of further escalation across the region.

“The priority must be an immediate ceasefire, the release of hostages, and a huge surge in aid into Gaza. This is the only solution towards long-lasting peace,” Starmer said.

“Today’s Israeli strikes on Qatar are unacceptable, whatever the reason. I express my solidarity with Qatar and its Emir, Sheikh Tamim Al Thani. Under no circumstances should the war spread throughout the region,” said Macron. Spain also called for restraint and a return to diplomatic negotiations. “This attack is a violation of Qatari territorial sovereignty and a flagrant violation of international law,” the Spanish Foreign Ministry said.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni did not explicitly condemn the attack, instead posting on X that she supported Al Thani and that Italy “remains opposed to any form of escalation that could lead to a further worsening of the crisis in the Middle East.”