The Israeli army has claimed responsibility for an assassination attempt on senior Hamas leaders in Doha, the capital of Qatar, where explosions were reported on Monday. The strike took place while a Hamas delegation was holding talks on a Gaza ceasefire proposal backed by the United States, a Hamas source told Al Jazeera.
Qatar strongly condemned the strike, calling it a “cowardly” attack. Foreign ministry spokesman Majed al-Ansari said, “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.”
Israel’s far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich praised the strike, writing on X, “Terrorists have no immunity and will never have immunity from Israel’s long arm anywhere in the world. This was the right decision and a perfect execution by the IDF and the Shin Bet.” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office later stressed that the strike was “a wholly independent Israeli operation,” adding, “Israel initiated it, Israel conducted it, and Israel takes full responsibility.”
The attack sparked widespread condemnation. The US embassy in Qatar advised its citizens to shelter in place, while Iran described the strike as a “gross violation” of international law and Qatar’s sovereignty. Jordan called it “a blatant violation of international law and the UN Charter,” and the UAE’s President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed expressed “full solidarity with precious Qatar.”
UN Secretary-General António Guterres also condemned the strike, calling it a “flagrant violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Qatar.” He said, “Qatar has been playing a very positive role to try and achieve a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of all hostages. All parties must work towards achieving a permanent ceasefire, not destroying it.”
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman phoned Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani to express solidarity, describing the Israeli strike as a “criminal act” and “a flagrant violation of international laws and norms.”
Reactions poured in from across the world. Pope Leo voiced concern about the seriousness of the situation, saying, “There’s some really serious news right now: Israel’s attack on some Hamas leaders in Qatar. The entire situation is very serious.” Türkiye condemned the strike as evidence that Israel had adopted “expansionist politics in the region and terrorism” as state policies, adding that the targeting of a negotiating team showed Israel “does not aim to reach peace, but rather continue the war.”
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas also denounced the attack, warning it could destabilize the entire region. His office said, “The brutal Israeli attack on Qatar constitutes a blatant violation of international law and an escalation that threatens regional security and stability.”
