Qatar’s Prime Minister said Tuesday that the country reserves the right to respond to the Israeli attack on its territory, calling it a “turning point” for the Middle East.
“Qatar reserves the right to retaliate against this blatant attack,” Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani said. “We believe today marks a pivotal moment. There must be a response from the entire region,” he added.
Qatar will continue trying to mediate a ceasefire and hostage release in Gaza despite Israel's attack on a Hamas compound in Doha, its prime minister said.
"We believe that today we have reached a pivotal moment. There must be a response from the entire region to such barbaric actions," he added.
"Nothing will deter us from continuing this mediation in the region," Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani told reporters.
The Israeli army carried out airstrikes against senior members of the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas in Doha. Israeli sources, cited by local media, described the operation as a major blow to the movement’s leadership.
According to Hamas, the strikes killed six people, including Humam al-Hayya, the son of senior Hamas leader Khalil al-Hayya; his chief of staff, Jihad Labad; and three associates, likely bodyguards or advisers to senior officials. The Iran-backed group added that its top leadership survived what it called a “cowardly attack,” claiming that “Israel’s assassination attempt failed.”
Qatari authorities confirmed that homes of Hamas officials had been targeted and condemned the attack as “cowardly.”
Donald Trump had his envoy notify Qatar of an impending attack by Israel, the White House said, adding that the US president then spoke with the leaders of both countries after the strikes.
"President Trump immediately directed Special Envoy Steve Witkoff to inform the Qataris of the impending attack, which he did," White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters during a briefing.
She said the US military had notified others in the Trump administration of Israel's impending strike but denied repeatedly to clarify if the military had first been made aware by Israel.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned that "terrorist leaders" will not be safe anywhere, after Israel targeted Hamas's senior leadership in air strikes on the Qatari capital, Doha.
"The days when terrorist leaders can enjoy immunity anywhere are over," Netanyahu said at a US embassy event in Jerusalem, adding that he had ordered the operation "to settle accounts with the murderers and to ensure the future security of the citizens of Israel."
“The army and the internal security service (Shin Bet) carried out a targeted strike against the senior leadership of the terrorist organization Hamas,” the Israeli army said in a statement.
Five senior Hamas leaders attended the meeting in Doha, including Khalil al-Hayya, Zaher Jabarin, Khaled Meshaal, and Ghazi Al-Hamad, along with one other high-ranking official, highlighting the gathering as a key assembly of the group’s top leadership.
A Hamas leader in Doha told Qatari media that several people were killed in the recent Israeli strikes, including Khalil al-Hayya’s son, Humam al-Hayya, and his office manager, Jihad Labad and three associates, possibly referring to bodyguards or advisers of senior Hamas officials. He added that the movement’s senior leadership survived what he described as a “cowardly” attack.
There have been conflicting reports about the presence of senior Hamas figures at the site of the Israeli strikes, as well as the extent of casualties and fatalities among them. While Israeli sources report that the targeted officials were eliminated.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed that Israel initiated and directed the recent operation in Doha, taking full responsibility for the strike. He emphasized, however, that the ongoing processes in Doha are entirely independent.
The State of Qatar has strongly condemned Israel’s strike targeting residential offices of several members of Hamas’s political bureau in Doha. Calling the attack “cowardly” and “criminal,” Qatari authorities described it as a violation of international law and a serious threat to the safety of Qataris and residents.
Qatar affirmed that it will not tolerate any actions that compromise its security or sovereignty. Investigations are ongoing at the highest level, with further details to be announced once available.
The Israeli army confirmed it carried out a precision operation against the leadership of Hamas, saying the strike specifically targeted senior figures of the movement.
Channel 14 reported that the military named the operation “Day of Judgment,” noting that fighter jets struck a meeting of Hamas leaders in the Qatari capital. Axios added that the attack targeted Hamas’ negotiating delegation, which was meeting in Doha to discuss a U.S. proposal.
The US embassy in Qatar told citizens to shelter in place after Doha said Israeli strikes targeted Hamas officials in the capital, Doha.
"We have seen reports of missile strikes occurring in Doha. The U.S. Embassy has instituted a shelter-in-place order for their facilities. U.S. citizens are advised to shelter in place," the embassy said in a post on X.
Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal was also reported to have been present at the gathering when the strike occurred.
US President Donald Trump said Sunday he issued a "last warning" to Hamas, saying the Palestinian militant group must accept a deal to release hostages in Gaza.
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