First Israeli Strike on Qatar in Two Years of Gaza War
Concerns Over Disruption in Ceasefire and Hostage Release Negotiations
On September 9 (local time), Israel carried out an airstrike on Doha, the capital of Qatar, targeting senior members of the Palestinian militant group Hamas. This marks the first time since the outbreak of the Gaza Strip war that Israel has targeted the territory of Qatar, a country mediating the ceasefire. Concerns are now being raised that ceasefire and hostage release negotiations could reach an impasse.
According to AFP and other outlets, at around 3:50 p.m. on the same day, a loud explosion was heard and smoke rose in the Katara district of Doha. Israel attacked a residential building where members of the Hamas political bureau reside.
On the 9th (local time), smoke is rising from an explosion in Doha, the capital of Qatar. Photo by AFP Yonhap News
The Israeli military confirmed the airstrike in a statement released immediately after the explosion.
Israeli media outlet Ynet reported that the operation was named "Top of Fire," and that fighter jets and drones dropped 10 bombs on a target more than 1,800 kilometers from Israeli territory.
Hamas stated that five people, including aides, were killed, but that its top leaders survived.
However, Saudi Arabian media outlet Al Arabiya, citing sources, reported that Khalil al-Hayya, deputy head of the Hamas political bureau and leader of the Hamas ceasefire negotiation delegation, as well as another senior official, Zaher Jabarin, are believed to have been killed, and that Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal was reportedly present at the scene.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, speaking at an event at the U.S. Embassy in Israel, said, "After our citizens were brutally murdered at a Jerusalem bus stop yesterday, I instructed authorities to stop the Hamas leadership murderers," adding, "We want to end the Gaza war and have accepted the principles for ending the war proposed by President Donald Trump," thereby pressuring Hamas to accept the ceasefire proposal.
Israel has conducted military operations in Lebanon, Syria, Yemen, and other countries targeting pro-Iranian militant groups allied with Hamas during nearly two years of war in the Gaza Strip, but this is the first time it has carried out an airstrike on Qatar. Hamas has operated a political bureau office in Doha since 2012. Israel's airstrike on Qatar, which has played a mediating role, is raising concerns that ceasefire negotiations could be disrupted.
The Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement strongly condemning Israel's "cowardly attack," saying, "This criminal attack, which blatantly violates international law and norms, poses a serious threat to Qatar's security." The ministry also stated, "Israel's reckless actions, continued disruption of regional security, and any infringement on Qatar's security and sovereignty cannot be tolerated."
The Times of Israel, citing sources, reported that Qatari authorities have informed the United States of their intention to temporarily suspend their mediation in the Gaza ceasefire negotiations.
International criticism has also followed. Egypt, another mediator in the Gaza ceasefire talks alongside Qatar, issued a presidential statement strongly condemning the attack as a violation of international law, calling it "a dangerous precedent and an unacceptable development." Neighboring Gulf states such as Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), as well as the Arab League, also issued statements condemning the attack.
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres stated, "Israel has attacked Qatar, which has played a positive role in the ceasefire and hostage release," and condemned "the clear violation of Qatar's sovereignty and territorial integrity." The United Nations Security Council is scheduled to hold an emergency meeting on the afternoon of September 10 regarding the airstrike on Qatar.
Kaja Kallas, the European Union's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, expressed solidarity with Qatar on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), pledging to help prevent the expansion of the Gaza war and support a ceasefire. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer also criticized the violation of Qatar's sovereignty on X.
The White House stated that it was notified in advance of Israel's airstrike plans, but added, "Unilateral bombing inside Qatar does not advance the goals of either Israel or the United States."
However, President Trump, when asked by reporters at a restaurant near the White House in Washington, DC, whether Israel had given prior notice of the airstrike, replied, "No."
The Jerusalem Post, citing Israeli officials, reported that U.S. officials were informed in advance of the attack and allowed the operation. The Israeli Prime Minister's Office dismissed this, stating, "This was entirely an independent Israeli operation," adding, "Israel initiated it, Israel carried it out, and Israel will take responsibility."
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