In a major escalation of Middle East tensions, Israel carried out airstrikes in Doha, Qatar, on Tuesday, targeting senior Hamas leaders allegedly involved in directing operations in Gaza. The rare cross-border strike comes at a sensitive moment when ceasefire negotiations were underway to end the months-long conflict in the Gaza Strip.
According to reports, several Hamas officials were the intended targets of the operation, though the exact number of casualties has not been officially confirmed. Israeli defense sources claimed that the strikes were necessary to dismantle Hamas’ command network operating from outside Gaza.
Qatar, which has long acted as a mediator in Middle East peace efforts, strongly condemned the attack. The Qatari government accused Israel of violating its sovereignty and jeopardizing ongoing Gaza ceasefire talks. Doha warned that such actions could derail the fragile peace process and destabilize the wider region.
The United States expressed “deep concern” over the strikes, with President Donald Trump stating he was “very unhappy” about the escalation. Washington has been closely involved in ceasefire negotiations alongside Qatar and Egypt, and the strike now poses a significant challenge to international mediation efforts.
Meanwhile, Hamas vowed retaliation, accusing Israel of attempting to sabotage peace talks. “This act of aggression proves Israel is not serious about peace,” a Hamas spokesperson declared, adding that the group will continue its resistance.
The strikes have also drawn sharp criticism from the international community. The United Nations urged restraint and stressed the need for diplomatic dialogue, while European Union leaders called for an immediate de-escalation to prevent the conflict from spilling beyond Gaza.
Analysts say Israel’s decision to strike Hamas leaders in Qatar underscores its growing impatience with prolonged negotiations and its determination to weaken Hamas militarily, even beyond Gaza’s borders. However, the move risks inflaming tensions in the Gulf region, where Qatar plays a central role in mediation.
As the fallout continues, the incident threatens to further complicate efforts for a sustainable Gaza ceasefire agreement and raises fears of a wider regional conflict.
