Qatar said Israeli strikes targeted the homes of several members of Hamas’s political bureau residing in the Gulf country, where the militant group’s senior leadership is based.
This frame grab taken from an AFPTV footage shows a man looking at smoke billowing after explosions in Doha’s capital Qatar on September 9, 2025. PHOTO: AFP
A Hamas official in Gaza told AFP the group’s negotiators had been “targeted” in Doha.
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A video journalist working with AFP in Doha saw a plume of smoke rising from behind a low-rise building.
“For years, these members of the Hamas leadership have led the terrorist organisation’s operations, are directly responsible for the brutal October 7 (2023) massacre, and have been orchestrating and managing the war against the State of Israel,” the Israeli military said in a statement.
“Most of Hamas’s leadership is abroad, and we will reach them as well,” Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir said on August 31.
A damaged building in Doha. PHOTO: REUTERS
Qatar condemned what it described as a “cowardly” Israeli strike targeting residential buildings housing members of Palestinian group Hamas’s political bureau.
Qatar reaction
“The State of 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,” foreign ministry spokesman Majed al-Ansari said in a post on X.
Tuesday’s strikes come less than two weeks after Israel’s armed forces chief vowed to targed the group’s leaders based abroad.
A senior Hamas official told Al Jazeera that the Hamas leadership delegation, led by Dr. Khalil al-Hayya, survived the Israeli assassination attempt in Doha, Qatar.
This footage of the aftermath suggests that the complex was not completely destroyed, despite being hit with more… pic.twitter.com/Gb6v6bsNY2
— Quds News Network (@QudsNen) September 9, 2025
Jordan condemns Israel’s ‘cowardly’ attack
Jordan’s foreign minister Ayman Safadi strongly condemned what he described as Israel’s “cowardly” attack on Qatar in a post on X, saying it’s a blatant violation of international law.
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Trump gave green light
Israel’s Channel 12, citing an Israeli official, said U.S. President Donald Trump gave the green light for an attack on Hamas leadership in Qatar.
Reuters could not immediately confirm this report.
This is a developing story…