Qatar's prime minister warned Tuesday that the country would "reserve the right to retaliate" after an airstrike in Doha targeted members of Hamas, calling the attack a "decisive moment" for the Middle East and accusing Israel of state terrorism.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani said at a news conference that "the State of Qatar is committed to act in a decisive way with anything that would target its territories and will reserve the right to retaliate and will take all the needed measures to retaliate." He described the strike as reflecting "the barbarism" of Israeli leadership and urged a regional response.
Israeli media reported that the explosion on Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2025, hit a car carrying two figures identified as Khalil al-Hayya and Zaher Jabarin. Al-Hayya had been involved in talks aimed at securing a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and the release of remaining hostages held by Hamas. Jabarin, described as responsible for Hamas's finances and active in West Bank operations, was also reported to have played a role in negotiations.
Hamas issued a statement saying Israel had failed to "assassinate the brothers in the negotiating delegation." The strike produced images and footage showing smoke and damage in the Qatari capital; Qatar and other regional actors immediately warned of potential fallout.
The White House said President Donald Trump "immediately directed" his special envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, to inform Qatari authorities of the "impending attack." White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said U.S. military officials had notified the president that Israel was striking Hamas elements "located in a section of Doha, the capital of Qatar." Leavitt called eliminating Hamas a "worthy goal" but said unilateral bombing inside a sovereign U.S. partner did not advance American objectives.
Qatar's Ministry of Foreign Affairs pushed back on the White House account, calling suggestions that the country was told in advance "baseless." A Qatari official posted on X that a call from a U.S. official occurred "during the sound of explosions caused by the Israeli attack in Doha." The ministry also said it would review all options available to protect its territory and sovereignty.
The strike represents a rare and escalatory move by Israel to strike on Qatari soil, raising questions about diplomatic and legal repercussions. Qatar has hosted Hamas political figures and played a mediating role in ceasefire and hostage negotiations, a position that has made it a partner for some Western countries and a target of criticism by others.
Analysts and officials cautioned that an attack inside the territory of a host nation could complicate regional diplomacy and heighten tensions between Israel and Gulf states that have courted closer ties in recent years. Qatar's statement framed the strike as a violation of international law and suggested coordinated regional opposition to such actions.
Details about casualties, the extent of damage and confirmation of the identities of those targeted were unclear in initial reporting. Israel has not publicly acknowledged the strike as of Tuesday evening. International officials and mediators were expected to seek clarification in the hours ahead as Doha assessed the immediate security and diplomatic consequences.
Qatar's threat to retaliate and the White House's account of a prior notification deepen the diplomatic dispute over responsibility and permissibility of the strike. The incident is likely to prompt urgent diplomatic engagement between Washington, Doha and regional partners as they assess next steps and try to prevent further escalation.