Israeli Airstrike Targets Hamas Meeting in Doha
On the 704th day of the war on Gaza, dramatic and shocking reports came from Qatar. A series of explosions were heard in the capital, Doha, and it was later revealed that these blasts were the result of an Israeli airstrike. According to senior Hamas sources, the attack specifically targeted a Hamas delegation that had been gathered to discuss a ceasefire proposal put forward by U.S. President Donald Trump.
The Israeli military and its intelligence agency, Shin Bet, described the operation as a “precise strike” and gave it the codename Summit of Fire . Their statement emphasized that advanced intelligence and precision munitions were used in an attempt to reduce civilian casualties. Nonetheless, the attack rattled Doha and caused visible damage near a residential compound, which had been guarded around the clock due to the ongoing conflict. Eyewitnesses spoke of multiple explosions and thick plumes of black smoke rising into the sky. Ambulances and dozens of security vehicles rushed to the scene within an hour of the strike.
Also Read:Israel claimed the strike was aimed at senior Hamas leaders, including Khalil al-Hayya, the head of the political bureau in Gaza and chief negotiator for the movement. Reports indicated that some of his close aides, including his son Humam al-Hayya and his office director, Jihad Lubbad, were killed. However, the fate of Khalil al-Hayya himself remained unclear. Other senior figures, including veteran Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal, were confirmed not to be present at the targeted location.
The attack immediately drew widespread condemnation. Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs labeled it a direct violation of its sovereignty and stated that investigations were underway. The Saudi Crown Prince expressed strong disapproval in a call with the Qatari Emir, affirming Riyadh’s support for Doha in defending its security. Kuwait and Jordan also issued statements denouncing the strike as a flagrant breach of international law. The Arab League joined the chorus, calling Israel’s action an unprecedented escalation that undermined regional stability.
International reactions extended beyond the Arab world. U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres condemned what he called a “blatant violation” of Qatar’s territorial integrity, highlighting the constructive role Doha had played in ceasefire efforts. Iran also criticized the attack, describing it as a dangerous warning sign for the entire region.
Meanwhile, Israeli leaders defended the operation. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yisrael Katz were reported to have monitored the strike from a command center, alongside Shin Bet and military chiefs. The opposition leader, Yair Lapid, publicly praised the attack, framing it as an extraordinary action against Israel’s enemies.
Though Hamas negotiators were said to have narrowly survived, the strike left uncertainty about the future of peace talks. The image of black smoke over Doha, combined with the international outrage, underlined how this conflict is no longer confined to Gaza alone. It is spreading its tremors into regional and global politics, raising the stakes for everyone involved.
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