Qatar's prime minister said an Israeli strike on Doha this week has "killed any hope" of securing a cease-fire deal to free the remaining hostages held in Gaza, warning that the attack on Hamas negotiators in the Qatari capital has jeopardized months of mediation.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani told CNN in an interview that he met with relatives of hostages the morning of the strike and that families had been "counting on this [ceasefire] mediation. They have no other hope for that." He said Tuesday's attack, which Israel said targeted a building housing a Hamas delegation, threatens the lives of the about 20 hostages still believed to be alive in Gaza.
Qatar has served as a primary mediator in cease-fire talks with Hamas, often coordinating with Egypt and working with U.S. intermediaries. Qatari officials said Al Thani had met with the Hamas delegation a day before the strike to discuss a proposal tied to U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff. Israeli officials said the target in Doha was a site used by Hamas leaders and argued that the presence of Hamas figures in Qatar undercuts Doha's role as an impartial mediator.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defended threats against states that host or aid Hamas, saying, "I say to Qatar and all nations who harbor terrorists, you either expel them or you bring them to justice. Because if you don't, we will." President Donald Trump, who spoke separately with both leaders seeking de-escalation, said the attack would not recur, according to statements by U.S. officials.
Al Thani was in New York on Thursday and addressed the United Nations Security Council over the strike. He told the council, according to Qatari statements, that the strike represented a direct attack on an ongoing diplomatic effort and warned Doha reserved the right to respond. Qatari officials have said they will convene an Arab-Islamic summit next week in Doha to discuss the incident.
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum, which represents those still held in Gaza and their relatives, said in a statement the attack had left them with "deep concern and heavy anxiety" and voiced fear for the safety of the captives. The group said the strike created a "grave fear" about what the hostages might now face.
Qatar's role as mediator has been contentious. While Doha and its partners have worked on multiple cease-fire proposals, including ones shaped with U.S. input, Israel has accused Qatar of providing sanctuary and financing to Hamas leaders. Israeli officials have argued that strikes outside Gaza are necessary to disrupt Hamas command and control, while Qatari and other Arab officials say such actions endanger diplomatic channels and civilian lives.
Diplomacy behind the scenes had focused on freeing captives and arranging pauses in fighting, with mediators presenting packages intended to lead to a broader cease-fire. The Doha attack comes after months of talks and at a moment when negotiators had been discussing a U.S.-backed proposal. Israeli officials said the strike was aimed at degrading Hamas leadership capacity and was not intended to derail negotiations.
As of Thursday, officials in Doha said mediation momentum had been shattered and that families of hostages were left without the channel they had been relying on. The international community continued to press for renewed talks even as tensions increased and leaders weighed the diplomatic and security consequences of the strike.