Alert+

Israeli Airstrikes in Doha Target Hamas Leaders

Doha Airstrikes Spark Diplomatic Fallout and Global Unrest Fears

Intelligence cut off: 15:00 BST 09 SEPTEMBER 2025

At approximately 16:10 Qatar local time, the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) and Israel Security Agency (ISA) carried out an airstrike in the Katara District of Doha. Israeli officials stated that the attack targeted senior members of the Palestinian group Hamas. The IDF has labelled the strike “Summit of Fire”.

Hamas channels stated that the attack killed an unspecified number of members of its negotiation team, which is currently involved in talks with the US regarding a plan to end hostilities in the Gaza Strip, where Hamas and Israel have been at war since the 7 October 2023 attack perpetrated by the Palestinian group.

Unverified footage reportedly taken in the aftermath of the attack shows several plumes of smoke rising from the impact area, suggesting multiple strikes. Unverified accounts claim that the attack killed, among others, Khalil al-Hayya and Khaled Mashal. Reports are currently conflicting regarding who has been killed, and there has been no official statement from Hamas or Qatari authorities.

Al-Hayya was the chairman of Hamas’ Political Bureau, where he succeeded Yahya Sinwar after the latter’s death in October 2024. Mashal was a former chairman of Hamas’ political bureau and one of the key leaders of the group in Qatar. Also believed to be present at the conference were Zaher Jabarin, who leads Hamas in the West Bank and Muhammad Darwish, head of Hamas’s Shura Council.

Qatari foreign ministry spokesperson Majed al-Ansari has released a statement stating that Qatar “strongly condemns” the strike, calling it “cowardly”, and that the “criminal assault constitutes a blatant violation of all international laws and norms, and poses a serious threat to the security and safety of Qataris and residents in Qatar.” He added that Qatar “will not tolerate this reckless Israeli behaviour and the ongoing disruption of regional security, nor any act that targets its security and sovereignty”.

The US Embassy in Qatar has advised US citizens to shelter in place.

INTELLIGENCE ANALYSIS

Israeli Strike in Qatar Signals Major Escalation in Regional Conflict

The attack is unprecedented and almost certainly a significant escalation with ramifications across the Arabian Peninsula. The most immediate ramifications are highly likely to be a dramatic breakdown in ceasefire negotiations, condemnation from the Gulf States, and increased civil unrest in urban centres globally.

Since 2012, Qatar has hosted the Hamas political leadership in exile. It has been this external leadership that has engaged in ceasefire negotiations with Israel, facilitated by international mediators, which have included Qatar. It is almost certain that the attack marks an end to this arrangement. The impact of this is twofold: first, the previously ongoing ceasefire negotiations are likely to completely collapse, given that the Hamas negotiating team has reportedly been largely killed. Second, power within Hamas will likely further concentrate within on-the-ground militants in the Gaza Strip, who have been more hardline and less amenable to any potential diplomacy.

Qatar is a major non-NATO ally of the US, hosting the Al-Udeid Air Base, which is currently the largest US military installation in the Middle East. According to a senior Israeli official talking to Israeli media, US President Donald Trump gave the green light for the Israeli strike in Qatar. Just days prior, on 7 September, Trump issued a “last warning” to Hamas to accept a deal to release all the hostages. If Washington’s approval of the strike is confirmed, the attack almost certainly follows the previous ultimatum, and it is likely that there will be major diplomatic ramifications among the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states, which include Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). While Qatar’s relations with other GCC states have previously experienced significant strain, it is almost certain that GCC states will strongly condemn the attack.

It is highly likely that civil unrest will result from the attack. Pro-Palestine protests will likely be organised outside Israeli and US embassies across the Middle East, and protests will also highly likely be organised in major European and US cities.

Travel and Safety Guidance for Doha, Qatar

Avoid the Katari District of Doha.
If in Doha, shelter in place due to the risk of further attacks.
Adhere to all instructions issued by authorities.
Closely monitor trusted local news reports and government alerts. Unverified claims and disinformation will almost certainly be widely propagated on social media and unvetted sources.
Monitor airport and public transport sites for live updates on possible disruptions from the airstrikes.
Expect the security situation in the region to remain unstable in the immediate future. There is an increased risk of terrorist attacks and civil unrest.
Avoid protest hotspots, particularly outside embassies.
Allocate additional time for travel to airports due to the high likelihood of delays.
Keep emergency contact numbers saved on your phone, including those for local authorities, medical services, and consular assistance. Ensure mobile devices are fully charged.