Qatar Condemns Israeli Airstrikes in Doha Targeting Hamas Leaders

In an unprecedented escalation of the Middle East conflict, Israel carried out targeted airstrikes in the Qatari capital, striking what it claimed was a meeting of senior Hamas leaders. The strikes shook the Katara district of Doha, where explosions ripped through residential and office areas linked to the group.

According to Israel, the operation was executed with precision-guided munitions and was intended to eliminate key figures accused of orchestrating past attacks, including Khalil al-Hayya, Khaled Mashal, Zaher Jabarin, and Muhammad Darwish.

The attack came at a highly sensitive moment, as Hamas officials were in Doha engaged in ceasefire and hostage-exchange negotiations mediated by the United States, Egypt, and Qatar.

The Israeli government confirmed direct responsibility for the strikes, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stating that the operation was “initiated and carried out solely by Israel.”

The action immediately drew a sharp rebuke from Qatar’s Foreign Ministry, which condemned the assault as a “cowardly criminal act” and a blatant violation of international law and the country’s sovereignty. Qatari authorities deployed civil defense and security teams to the affected areas and vowed that such violations would not go unanswered.

The airstrikes triggered swift international condemnation. United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres described the attack as a flagrant breach of Qatar’s territorial integrity and urged all sides to recommit to negotiations instead of deepening hostilities.

Regional powers, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Iran, and Lebanon, echoed Qatar’s position, calling the strikes reckless and destabilizing at a time when the humanitarian crisis in Gaza remains dire.

Analysts warned that the attack risks derailing fragile peace talks and further inflaming tensions across the region. The move also signals Israel’s growing willingness to extend its military reach beyond Gaza and neighboring territories, introducing new uncertainty into an already volatile conflict.

With diplomatic channels strained and ceasefire negotiations now in jeopardy, the incident marks a dangerous turning point in the Middle East crisis.

Sources: The Guardian, Reuters, Associated Press, BBC News