Israel attempted to assassinate Hamas’s political leadership with an airstrike on Qatar on September 9, marking a sharp escalation in the Middle East conflict, Reuters reports. The United States described the strike as a unilateral move that undermined both American and Israeli interests.
President Donald Trump said he was «very unhappy about every aspect» of the Israeli attack, promising a full statement on September 10.
«We want the hostages back, but we’re not thrilled about the way it went down today,» he told reporters in Washington.
Qatar Accuses Israel of ‘State Terrorism’
Qatar denounced the strike as treacherous and accused Israel of committing «state terrorism.» Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani warned the attack endangered the peace talks Doha has been mediating between Israel and Hamas. One member of Qatar’s internal security forces was killed and others injured, according to Qatari officials.
Trump admitted that while he considered targeting Hamas a «worthy goal,» he regretted that it happened in Qatar, a US security partner that hosts the al-Udeid Air Base. He stressed that such an operation «does not advance Israel or America’s goals.»
Five Hamas Members Killed
Hamas said five of its members died in the airstrike, including the son of senior negotiator Khalil al-Hayya, but insisted its leadership survived. The group described the attack as a failed assassination attempt on its ceasefire negotiation team.
International Outrage
The operation drew swift condemnation from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the UAE, the European Union, Uzbekistan, and Kazakhstan. President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev of Kazakhstan said Israel’s actions «blatantly violated Qatar’s sovereignty and international law.» Uzbekistan’s Foreign Ministry said the strikes on a residential area in Doha were «unacceptable.»
UN Secretary-General António Guterres and Pope Leo both expressed grave concern, while the EU called the strike a breach of international law. The UAE, which normalised relations with Israel under the Abraham Accords, branded it «blatant and cowardly.»
Netanyahu Defends the Strike
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defended the attack, saying it followed a Hamas shooting near Jerusalem that killed six people, as well as the deaths of four Israeli soldiers in Gaza.
«The days are over when terror leaders can enjoy immunity of any kind,» Netanyahu said in a televised address.
Gaza Prepares for Renewed Offensive
Meanwhile, Gaza City braced for another onslaught as Israel dropped leaflets urging residents to flee. Israel has vowed to demilitarise the strip, once home to 2.2 mln Palestinians. More than 64,000 people have been killed in Gaza since October 2023, according to local health officials, sparking accusations of genocide from international scholars.
Inside Israel, military leaders have warned Netanyahu against expanding the war, and families of hostages fear that the strike in Qatar could endanger their loved ones.
