ISLAMABAD: Explosions that shook Doha on Tuesday have triggered one of the most serious diplomatic crises of the ongoing Gaza war. Israel confirmed it carried out a “precise strike” targeting senior Hamas leaders in the Qatari capital, a city that until now had served as a neutral platform for negotiations.
The attack killed six people, including the son of senior Hamas leader Khalil al-Hayya, one of his top aides, and a Qatari officer, according to Hamas and Qatari officials.
This marks the first time Israel has conducted a direct strike on Qatari soil, a Gulf state that has long hosted Hamas’s political bureau and served as a neutral mediator. The incident has not only shaken Doha’s security but also triggered one of the gravest diplomatic crises of the Gaza war.
Why the Doha strike is different
The Doha attack stands apart from Israel’s long record of cross-border operations for several reasons:
First strike in a Gulf state — Israel has repeatedly targeted Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah in Lebanon, and Iranian forces in Syria, but never before in Qatar — a country internationally recognized as a broker in Middle East diplomacy. CNN noted that Hamas’s political bureau has operated in Doha for years with tacit global acceptance.
Targeting a U.S. partner — Qatar hosts the Al Udeid Air Base, the largest U.S. military installation in the Middle East. Reuters reported Israeli officials claimed Washington was informed in advance, but U.S. authorities have not confirmed. Striking so close to a U.S. hub risks straining American credibility.
- Ceasefire timing — AP confirmed Hamas negotiators had met Qatar’s prime minister the day before the strike to discuss U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposal. Attacking during sensitive talks casts doubt on Israel’s seriousness toward mediation.
- Civilian proximity — Unlike strikes in Syria or southern Lebanon, Al Jazeera reported the Doha explosions occurred near populated neighborhoods, making it a direct threat to Gulf civilian safety and sovereignty.
Where Israel has struck before — and why
- Gaza/Palestinian Territories: Relentless air and ground operations against Hamas, which governs Gaza and is Israel’s primary adversary.
- Lebanon: Frequent air raids on Hezbollah positions, most recently in Beirut’s southern suburbs. Justified by Israel as preemptive against rocket fire.
- Syria: Hundreds of strikes targeting the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and weapons shipments to Hezbollah. AFP reported Israel views this as essential to blocking Iranian entrenchment.
- Iraq: In 2019, AP attributed explosions at militia bases to suspected Israeli drone strikes, meant to disrupt Iranian supply lines.
Iran: Israel attacked nuclear and military sites in Iran in June this year, and then Iran retaliated with aerial attacks targeting Israel.
The pattern is clear: Israel traditionally strikes in conflict zones or against armed proxies. Doha is different — a peaceful Gulf capital allied with the U.S.
Repercussions of the Doha strike
- Diplomatic shockwaves — Qatar’s Foreign Ministry called the strike a “cowardly violation of sovereignty.” UN Secretary-General António Guterres condemned it as a “flagrant breach of international law.” Kuwait, Jordan, Iraq, and the Maldives issued similar denunciations. The Palestinian Authority called it a “threat to security and stability in the region.”
- Ceasefire talks in jeopardy — CNN stressed Qatar, alongside Egypt and the U.S., has been central to ceasefire diplomacy. Attacking negotiators risks collapsing mediation.
- Regional escalation — Reuters quoted analysts warning that Iranian-backed militias in Iraq, Syria, or Lebanon may retaliate against Israeli or U.S. assets, risking war beyond Gaza.
- Strain on U.S. diplomacy — If Washington was informed in advance, Gulf states may question America’s reliability as a security guarantor. The strike landed less than 30 km from Al Udeid Air Base.
- Economic fallout — AFP reported energy analysts expect Gulf markets to feel pressure, with higher insurance premiums on shipping and aviation if instability spreads.
Khalil al-Hayya: the man at the center
At the heart of the Doha strike is Khalil al-Hayya, one of Hamas’s most senior leaders and now its most visible figure abroad following the assassinations of Ismail Haniyeh (in Iran, July 2024) and Yahya Sinwar (in Gaza, October 2023).
- Leadership role: Hayya serves on Hamas’s five-member leadership council and is central in ceasefire and prisoner-swap talks.
- Personal toll: Born in Gaza in 1960, he has been detained multiple times by Israel. In 2007, an Israeli strike destroyed his family home in Gaza City’s Sejaiyeh quarter. In 2014, his eldest son Osama, Osama’s wife, and three children were killed in an Israeli bombing.
- Political presence abroad: Based in Qatar for years, Hayya has been Hamas’s liaison with Arab and Islamic governments. He accompanied Haniyeh to Tehran last year during the ill-fated visit when Haniyeh was assassinated.
- Diplomatic initiatives: In 2022, he led a delegation to Damascus to restore ties with President Bashar al-Assad. More recently, he spearheaded ceasefire negotiations in Doha, including proposals for exchanging Israeli hostages with Palestinian prisoners.
Despite devastating personal losses, Hayya has emerged as a survivor and negotiator-in-chief for Hamas. His survival in Doha reinforces his central role in the movement’s leadership.
What’s next for Qatar and the region
- Diplomatic push: Qatar is expected to mobilize the Arab League, press for emergency UN Security Council sessions, and build a coalition to diplomatically isolate Israel.
- Security tightening: Doha has deployed special security units to protect foreign missions and critical infrastructure.
- Mediation rethink: While unlikely to abandon its role, Qatar may suspend mediation until it secures guarantees against future strikes.
The Israeli strike on Doha is an alarming escalation that shatters international norms and undermines global diplomacy. By bombing a peaceful capital known for mediation, Tel Aviv has shown blatant contempt for sovereignty and international law. Targeting negotiators in the midst of ceasefire talks signals Israel’s determination to sabotage peace efforts and prolong the Gaza war. This reckless act risks deepening regional instability and further isolating Israel on the world stage.
