Image Credentials: Image Title: Israeli Airstrike on Hamas Leaders in Doha Source: (Sora.ChatGPT) Date: September 2025. Attribution: Created using AI-generated imagery (Sora.ChatGPT), this does not depict a real-world scene.
By Staff Writer | Open Chronicle with Agencies
Doha, Qatar — Israeli warplanes launched a strike on senior Hamas leaders in Doha on Tuesday, marking a dramatic expansion of the ongoing Israel–Hamas conflict beyond Gaza and threatening fragile ceasefire negotiations.
The strike, first reported by Anadolu Agency, shook the Qatari capital with multiple explosions. Footage showed smoke plumes rising over parts of the city as residents rushed for safety.
According to the Israeli military, the operation was a “precise strike” aimed at Hamas leadership. Israeli media later reported that warplanes fired 12 missiles at sites where Hamas negotiators were believed to be present.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office confirmed responsibility in a statement:
“Today’s action against the top terrorist chieftains of Hamas was a wholly independent Israeli operation. Israel initiated it, Israel conducted it, and Israel takes full responsibility.”
Israel carries out a strike on senior Hamas leaders in Qatar's capital Doha
All 6 senior leaders were sent to Atiq uncle
😎
cc @ReallySwara pic.twitter.com/Jt7DxeKCbQ
— Kreately.in (@KreatelyMedia) September 9, 2025
Casualties and Hamas Response
Hamas officials confirmed that five members of its negotiating team were killed in the strike. Those killed included Hammam al-Hayya, the son of senior Hamas leader Khalil al-Hayya, his office director Jihad Lubad, and three aides, Abdullah Abdel Wahid, Moamen Hassouna, and Ahmed al-Mamlouk.
In a statement, the group condemned the strike as a “heinous crime and blatant aggression,” adding:
“We hold the Israeli occupation and the US administration responsible for this crime due to Washington’s constant support for the aggression and the occupation’s crimes against our people.”
Hamas also confirmed that senior negotiators survived the attack, which reportedly took place as the delegation was discussing a ceasefire and prisoner swap proposal presented by then–U.S. President Donald Trump.
Qatari Government Reaction
The Qatari Foreign Ministry issued a strong condemnation, calling the airstrike a “blatant violation of international law” and a direct attack on Qatar’s sovereignty. Officials stressed that the assault endangered civilians and could destabilize the Gulf region.
Security forces and civil defense units were immediately deployed to secure the targeted areas and reassure residents.
Broader Context
The attack comes against the backdrop of Israel’s large-scale campaign in Gaza, launched in October 2023, which has killed more than 64,600 Palestinians according to local sources and triggered widespread famine conditions.
Qatar, along with Egypt and the United States, has been a key mediator in ongoing ceasefire efforts. Analysts warn that striking Hamas leaders on Qatari soil risks derailing negotiations and intensifying already high regional tensions.
As of Tuesday evening, Doha remained on high alert, with authorities investigating the full scale of damage while international leaders weighed in on what could mark a turning point in the conflict.
Staff Writers at Open Chronicle produce in-depth, field-informed reporting on defense, diplomacy, cultural transformation, and global affairs. Known for clarity, accuracy, and analytical depth, they connect breaking developments to broader historical and strategic contexts. In addition to frontline journalism, Staff Writers also contribute to the Open Chronicle Encyclopedia, crafting authoritative entries that preserve critical knowledge and enrich public understanding.