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Israel launched a huge escalation in the war with Hamas and a huge escalation in the airstrikes of terrorist groups in Doha, Qatar, a key U.S. ally. The attack targeted senior Hamas officials who would meet to consider a U.S. ceasefire proposal for Gaza, killing five low-level officials and a Qatari security official, while the top leadership survived.
The strikes attacked residential areas in the Qatar capital, prompting strong condemnation by the Gulf nation, calling it a “blatant violation of all international laws and norms.” Qatar has presided over Hamas’ leadership since 2012 and has been a key mediator between Israel and Hamas throughout the 23-month conflict. Saudi Arabia and the UAE expressed support for Qatar after the attack.
Key figures whose goals are targets include current acting leader Khalil al-Hayya; Khaled Mashaal, former head of the group; and Hamas finance director Zaher Jaborin. Israel described the action as a “precise strike”, using at least 10 bombs on Hamas homes, and officials expressed optimism about the results.
President Trump revealed that he had instructed Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff to inform Qatari officials of the upcoming attack. However, the White House criticized Israel’s decision, saying it backfired on Israel and the United States’ goals while acknowledging that elimination of Hamas is still worth it. Mr. Trump promised that Qatar would not be attacked repeatedly.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stressed that Israel takes action independently without the coordination of the United States and assumes full responsibility for this action. He constructed the strike against the backdrop of protecting Jewish lives, noting that since the founding of Israel, Jews have never been “murdered to be murdered” again.
The air strikes represent part of Israel’s wider military campaign, which began on October 7, 2023, killing about 1,200 people. Israel has previously attacked Hamas-backed entities in Iran, Syria, Lebanon and Yemen during the conflict.
Meanwhile, Israeli forces ordered a complete evacuation of Gaza City ahead of a major offensive, marking an escalation of previously targeted neighborhood warnings. Palestinian civilians were directed to sail through Al-Rashid Street toward the humanitarian areas along the coast.
Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid praised the action but raised concerns about hostage safety, questioning whether the risks of dozens of Israelis still held in Gaza were correctly considered. This situation highlights the complex balance between military goals and diplomatic relations as conflicts continue to expand and transcend the Gaza border.
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