Israel Targets Hamas Leaders in Qatar’s Doha, Multiple Killed in Gaza Strikes

Israel Targets Hamas Leaders in Qatar’s Doha, Multiple Killed in Gaza Strikes

Doha/Gaza – September 9, 2025 —The Israeli military says it has carried out a strike targeting senior Hamas leaders in Qatar’s capital, Doha, in what it described as a “precise operation” against figures it claims were responsible for the October 7 attacks.

Explosions were reported in the city, where Hamas officials said their negotiating team was meeting to discuss a U.S.-backed Gaza ceasefire proposal. A Hamas source told Al Jazeera that the team was directly targeted in the attack.

Qatar’s foreign ministry condemned the incident as a “cowardly” and “flagrant violation of international law,” warning it would not tolerate what it called “reckless Israeli behaviour” that threatens regional security. Doha has served as a key mediator in indirect negotiations between Hamas and Israel.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed the strike, saying those targeted were “directly responsible for the brutal October 7 massacre” in which 1,139 people were killed and about 200 taken captive. Hamas leaders in Doha have not taken part in ceasefire talks with Israel since July.

Meanwhile, Israeli forces continued their military campaign across Gaza. Medical sources said at least 35 Palestinians, including seven people seeking aid, were killed in the past 24 hours.

According to Gaza health officials, Israel’s war on the territory has killed at least 64,605 people and wounded 163,319 since October 2023. Thousands more remain missing under the rubble.

The unprecedented Israeli strike in Doha — a rare attack outside the immediate conflict zone — is likely to deepen tensions in the Gulf and complicate ongoing mediation efforts led by Qatar, Egypt, and the United States.