Israel Launches First Airstrike on Qatar, Hitting Hamas Leaders

Doha, Qatar — Israel has carried out an airstrike in Qatar for the first time, targeting senior Hamas leaders in the capital, Doha. The rare attack has drawn sharp condemnation and raised concerns about the future of peace talks in the Middle East.

The strike hit a residential compound in Doha’s Leqtaifiya district, where Hamas leaders were reportedly meeting to discuss a ceasefire proposal. Israel described it as a precise operation against “terrorist leadership.” Hamas said its top commanders survived, but several people were killed, including relatives of officials and a Qatari security officer.

Qatar’s government strongly condemned the strike, calling it a “cowardly violation” of its sovereignty and international law. The attack is particularly significant as Qatar has been one of the leading countries mediating between Israel and Hamas in recent months.

The United States described the incident as “unfortunate.” The White House said it did not serve U.S. or Israeli interests and reassured Qatar that such actions should not happen again. Other allies, including Germany, the United Kingdom, and Turkey, also criticised the strike, with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan accusing Israel of adopting “terrorism as state policy.”

The attack comes at a delicate moment, as peace negotiations over Gaza continue. Analysts warn that Israel’s strike on Qatari soil could derail mediation efforts and further destabilise the region.