On Tuesday, September 9, 2025, six civilians were killed and at least six civilians – including two women and two children – were injured in a declared Israeli airstrike which hit the office housing the Hamas negotiating delegation in the Katara area in Doha, Qatar.

The Israeli government declared Israel’s involvement in the strike on Doha. In particular, Al Jazeera channel on Facebook posted a video of the speech of Israeli PM Netanyahu, where he said the following: “There was an operational opportunity today to eliminate the Hamas leadership, and I gave instructions, along with the Minister of Defense, to implement it. I directed the security forces to prepare to target Hamas leaders, and our pilots carried out the mission to target Hamas leaders with precision.”

Additionally, the Israeli Defense Force (IDF) declared the strike in its Telegram channel (idfofficial), writing: “IDF and ISA Announcement: The IDF and ISA conducted a precise strike targeting the senior leadership of the Hamas terrorist organization. For years, these members of the Hamas leadership have led the terrorist organization’s operations, are directly responsible for the brutal October 7th massacre, and have been orchestrating and managing the war against the State of Israel. Prior to the strike, measures were taken in order to mitigate harm to civilians, including the use of precise munitions and additional intelligence. The IDF and ISA will continue to operate with determination in order to defeat the Hamas terrorist organization responsible for the October 7th massacre.” The IDF Arabic language Facebook posted images of the military officials involved in the strike in what appears to be the control room.

Among the victims of the strike were Hamam Khalil al-Hayya, the son of Khalil al-Hayya, who was the head of Hamas’ negotiating delegation in Doha, Qatar; his office director, Jihad Labad (Abu Bilal); his three bodyguards (companions): Abdullah Abdul Wahid, Mu’min Hassouna, and Ahmed Abdul Malik; and a member of the Qatari internal security service  Badr Saad Mohammed al-Hamidi al-Dosari “Lekhwiya”.

The wife of Khalil al-Hayya, the wife of his son Hamam, and Khalil’s two grandchildren were all injured. According to the Qatari Ministry of Interior and the @drassagheer on Twitter/X, there were also serious injuries among other members of the Qatari internal security service.

Facebook user Nedal Ali Al Mashni also reported that there were injuries among the political leaders of Hamas, but other sources did not corroborate this information. Therefore, the maximum injury toll will reflect this uncertainty.

Facebook user Bilal Al-Sibai shared a video showing the first moments after the explosion, with large clouds of smoke billowing in the sky and people running frantically. The female voice kept saying, “Oh my God, oh my God.”

On Thursday, Hamas official Fawzi Barhoum condemned the Israeli attack in Qatar, calling it an “assassination of the entire negotiation process,” accusing the United States of being a “full partner” in it.

Barhoum’s televised statement was aired shortly after the victims of the bombing were laid to rest in Doha. Qatar’s emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, attended the funeral, and offered his condolences to the brother of Corporal Badr Saad Mohammed Al-Humaidi Al-Dosari, one of the victims of the Israeli attack.

In statements shared across social media, Hamas also called the attack “a crime and a violation of international norms and laws, and an aggression against the sovereignty of the sister nation #Qatar, which, along with the sister nation #Egypt, plays an important role in sponsoring the mediation.”

Qatar has hosted the political bureau of the Palestinian movement since 2012. The United States, an ally of Qatar, reportedly maintains tacit approval of the placement, as it facilitates a channel of communication between American officials and Hamas.

Al Jazeera Channel reported, referring to the Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, that the Israeli military used weapons that were undetectable by radar.