The Middle East is facing a new and grave escalation following an Israeli strike on the headquarters of Hamas leadership in the Qatari capital of Doha. The attack, which took place on Tuesday, comes amid a raging war in the Gaza Strip with no end to the violence in sight and has sparked outrage from Qatar, a crucial mediator in the conflict.
According to AFPTV footage, smoke was seen billowing after the strike, which targeted Hamas leaders. This attack, carried out while negotiations for a truce in Gaza and the release of remaining hostages were underway, has been widely condemned by several world leaders.
The strike is particularly significant as Qatar has been a key go-between for Hamas and Israel since the 2023 war began. As a close US ally, the attack on Doha marks one of the most serious escalations in the region since American strikes on Iranian nuclear sites.
Why Israel Struck Doha
Doha has served as a critical hub for Hamas leadership, especially for ceasefire negotiations. Since October 2023, at the request of the US government, Qatar has hosted leaders and teams from the Palestinian militant group to facilitate truce talks, providing a vital channel of communication between the warring parties.
The recent attack occurred just as a Hamas delegation arrived in Doha to review the latest proposal for a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages, a proposal pushed by the US and special envoy Steve Witkoff. The strike also follows “final warnings” issued to the militant group by both US President Donald Trump and the Israeli government. While this is the first public Israeli strike on Qatar, it is not the first time Israel has targeted Hamas leadership outside of Gaza. In July 2024, an Israeli strike assassinated Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh during a visit to Iran.
Conflicting Claims on US and Qatari Involvement
Following the explosions in Doha, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu took full responsibility for the strike, stating it was an “independent operation” against Hamas leadership. However, a White House press briefing revealed that the US was informed of the operation, with special envoy Witkoff tasked with informing Qatar.
Qatar has vehemently rejected this claim, with its foreign ministry stating it was only notified of the operation after the explosions had already been heard. The Qatari foreign ministry condemned the attack as a “blatant violation of all international laws and norms,” adding 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.”
The last time Doha was at the center of such regional tensions was when Iran launched a drone strike targeting a US military base in the capital, in response to American strikes on its nuclear sites.
US President Donald Trump has also expressed his disapproval of the strike. In a rare snub towards Netanyahu, Trump took to Truth Social to state that the “unilateral strike” would not help in achieving the goals set by the US or Israel. “This was a decision made by Prime Minister Netanyahu, it was not a decision made by me. Unilaterally bombing inside Qatar, a Sovereign Nation and close Ally of the United States, that is working very hard and bravely taking risks with us to broker Peace, does not advance Israel or America’s goals,” Trump wrote.
The War in Gaza Worsens
The strike in Doha casts a long shadow over the ongoing war in Gaza, which continues to rage with no ceasefire in sight. According to the Gaza health ministry, the Israeli bombardment across the Palestinian territory has now claimed the lives of over 64,000 people.