Israel carried out missile strikes in Doha on Tuesday night aimed at a meeting of Hamas leaders, prompting condemnation from Australian and US officials who said the attack undermined ongoing ceasefire negotiations and violated Qatari sovereignty.
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong said the strikes damaged the possibility of a ceasefire and jeopardised efforts to secure the release of hostages, adding that the Albanese government regarded the action as "wrong." Wong told a television program that Qatar had been "working with the United States to try and deliver a ceasefire and the return of hostages" and described the attack as "a strike that violates Qatar's sovereignty."
Israel said the strikes targeted top Hamas leaders, including Gaza chief Khalil al-Hayya. Hamas said its negotiating delegation survived but reported six fatalities among those present, including al-Hayya's son and a member of Qatar's security forces. Qatar's prime minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, said the United States warned Doha about the attack ten minutes after it began and warned that Qatar "reserves the right" to respond to what he called a "blatant attack," characterising the incident as a "pivotal moment" for the region.
US President Donald Trump also criticised the strikes, saying Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was solely responsible for the decision and that bombing inside a close US ally did not help American or Israeli goals. In a social media post, Trump wrote that he had "immediately directed special envoy Steve Witkoff to inform the Qataris of the impending attack," but added that the warning arrived "too late to stop the attack." He reiterated his desire for the release of hostages and an end to the war, while saying that "eliminating Hamas" remained a worthy objective.
Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles joined Wong in expressing deep concern, calling the strikes a violation of Qatar's sovereignty. Australian officials said the action risked undermining the fragile diplomatic channels that had been engaged in negotiations to halt the fighting and secure hostage releases.
The strikes represent an unusual escalation: Qatar has served as a key intermediary in talks over a proposed Gaza ceasefire associated with a plan supported by Trump. Officials and mediators had been convening in Doha when the attack occurred, according to statements from involved parties. The timing and location — an attack inside the territory of a country actively brokering talks — prompted immediate international scrutiny and fears that the violence could complicate or derail negotiations already underway.
Israel has framed the operation as a targeted effort against Hamas leadership, while Qatar, the United States and allied governments emphasised the diplomatic and security implications of an attack on sovereign territory. Qatar has historically hosted Hamas delegations and played a role in previous hostage and ceasefire arrangements, and officials warned that the strikes could erode trust in mediators and make future arrangements more difficult.
The incident is likely to intensify diplomatic engagement in the coming days as governments assess consequences and seek to prevent wider escalation. Australian and US public comments signal concern among key partners about both the immediate human cost and the broader strategic impact on efforts to halt the fighting and secure the release of civilians held in Gaza.