Qatar and U.S. condemn Israeli attack on Hamas leaders in Doha

Israel carried out an attack on Hamas leadership in Doha, Qatar, on September 9th and Hamas confirmed that its targeted officials survived, although the attack killed six people, according to Radio France Internationale (RFI).

Multiple sources reported that the strike occurred during a meeting of Hamas negotiators who were discussing U.S. President Donald Trump’s ceasefire proposal for Gaza. Qatar, which has played a central role in recent mediation efforts, condemned the attack on its territory and declared it reserved the right to respond.

In Israel, the strike created confusion, noted RFI’s Jerusalem correspondent Michel Paul. Amos Yadlin, ex-head of the Israeli Air Force and military intelligence, admitted that “the objectives of the operations were not achieved.”

The White House criticised the move, with Trump stating: “I was very unhappy about it.” He added that Israel had not informed Washington beforehand, although the U.S. military had issued a warning. While the incident made Trump “uncomfortable,” the White House stressed that defeating Hamas remains a “laudable goal.”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office insisted that the operation was conducted independently, with Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz ordering it after a Hamas attack killed six people in East Jerusalem on September 8th.

Analysts argue that the tensions with Washington may pressure Israel to accelerate the war’s end. While much of Israel’s political establishment praised the operation, opposition figures questioned its timing.

Hostage families voiced alarm at the developments, warning that the strike could jeopardise ongoing negotiations. The Families Forum said prospects of the captives’ being released now seemed “more uncertain than ever.” According to the Israeli army, 47 hostages remain in Gaza, with around 20 believed to still be alive.

The UN Security Council is set to meet urgently on September 10th to address the Israeli strikes in Doha, diplomatic sources told Agence France-Presse. Several Arab states, alongside Turkey and France, have denounced the attack.