Israel’s military said it carried out an airstrike targeting senior leaders of Hamas in Doha on Tuesday, after witnesses in the Qatari capital reported several blasts and smoke was seen rising north of the city centre.
The Israeli Defense Forces said in a statement that it had conducted “a precise strike targeting the senior leadership of the Hamas terrorist organization,” which maintains a political bureau in Doha. The IDF added that "prior to the strike, measures were taken in order to mitigate harm to civilians, including the use of precise munitions and additional intelligence."
Qatari officials condemned the action as a blatant violation of international law. The country’s Foreign Ministry said the attack was “cowardly” and asserted that residential buildings had also been struck alongside offices used by Hamas. Spokesman Majed Al Ansari said Qatar would not tolerate what he described as “reckless Israeli behavior.”
If independently confirmed, the strike would be the first time Israel has acknowledged a military attack on Hamas targets in Qatar, which has hosted members of the group’s political wing since 2012 under an agreement that the United States has long managed politically. In November 2024, the United States formally asked Qatar to expel Hamas’ political leadership; Qatar subsequently said the offices would remain open even as diplomatic engagement between Israel and Hamas had paused.
The reports of explosions and smoke in Doha prompted immediate diplomatic concern in the region. Qatar is a major regional mediator and has hosted Hamas officials for more than a decade, facilitating indirect talks at times between Hamas and international actors. The presence of the political bureau in Doha has been a point of contention for Israel and other governments that classify Hamas as a terrorist organization.
The IDF did not provide on-the-record details about the identities of those it said were targeted or casualties. Qatari authorities also did not release casualty figures in their initial statements, and independent verification of the strike and its effects was not available early on. Witness reports and media photographs circulated online showing smoke above the northern part of Doha.
The incident escalates tensions at a time when diplomacy over Gaza and hostages has been intermittent. International actors, including the United States and regional partners, have previously relied on Qatar to facilitate communication with Hamas and to support humanitarian and negotiation channels.
Qatar’s forceful public response signals potential diplomatic fallout. The country has courted relations with Western states while maintaining ties with Islamist movements and has served as a venue for negotiations in past conflicts. Any confirmed strike on its territory would mark a significant development in regional dynamics and could prompt international calls for clarification or restraint.
Further reporting is expected as officials from Qatar, Israel and other governments comment and as independent monitors seek to verify the location and impact of the reported strike.