Israel strikes Hamas leaders in Qatar
Israel strikes Hamas leaders in Qatar
#breakingnews #israel #hamas #qatar #gaza
Israel launched an airstrike against Hamas leaders in Qatar on September 9th 2025, expanding its military actions that have ranged across the Middle East to include the Gulf Arab state where the Palestinian Islamist group has long had its political base.
US President Donald Trump has confirmed he’s “very unhappy” about Israel’s decision to strike at members of Hamas in Qatar without his prior knowledge.
Mr Trump spoke to reporters today while out and about in Washington D.C., albeit very near to the White House, where he visited a restaurant.
‘I was very unhappy’: Trump fumes at Israeli strike on Qatar
Earlier, the White House slammed Israel’s deadly attack on a building housing the “senior leadership” of Hamas, saying it “does not advance Israel or America’s goals”.
After remaining silent for hours after the attack, which occurred about 11pm on Tuesday (AEST), Mr Trump wrote on social media that he felt “very badly about the location of the attack” and demanded Israel not strike Qatar again.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong said on Wednesday the strike “violates Qatar’s sovereignty”.
“It undermines or potentially damages the possibility of ceasefire and the release of hostages, and obviously it risks escalation,” Senator Wong told Seven’s Sunrise.
The US was given warning of the attack and the White House said it immediately contacted the Qataris to forewarn them.
Israel said it acted alone in the strike which risks escalating already febrile tensions in the region.
Qatar has long housed members of Hamas and it’s reported the terror group’s negotiators were targeted. It’s been reported six people died but that none of those were senior leaders.
The deaths are reported to have included Himam al-Hayya, the son of Hamas leader in Gaza Khalil al-Hayya, as well as Jihad Labad, the director of Khalil al-Hayya’s office. This has not been confirmed.
Qatari authorities condemned the strikes, which it described as “reckless Israeli behaviour”.
The nation denied receiving prior notification of the strike.
“The statements being circulated about Qatar being informed of the attack in advance are baseless,” Majed Al Ansari, the Qatari foreign ministry’s spokesperson, wrote in a post on X.
Neighbouring Saudi Arabia said Israel’s move could lead to “grave consequences” while the United Arab Emirates said it had “full solidarity” with Qatar.
Shortly before Israel’s announcement of the strike, on Tuesday night, explosions were reported in the Katara district of the Qatari capital Doha, where Hamas leaders are based.
Doha includes one of the Middle East’s biggest international airports and is the home of Qatar Airways, which many Australians use when travelling.
Israel’s move risks another escalation in a conflict which is now almost two years old and stems from the massacre of more than 1000 people in Israel by Hamas militants on October 7 2022. It’s estimated over 60,000 Palestinians have since died in Gaza.
At a press briefing on Tuesday, US time, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt tried to put distance between Israel’s attack and Washington DC.
She said Mr Trump was informed by Israel it was about to begin “unilaterally bombing inside Qatar, a sovereign nation and close ally of the United States”.
While most of Hamas’ senior members in Gaza have been killed since the October 7 attacks, its leadership have been resident in Qatar which has provided a far safer haven and allowed both control of the group to remain and negotiations to take place. Qatar, along with Egypt, has played a key role in trying to mediate the conflict. But Qatar has also been accused of shielding Hamas members.
Qatar’s Prime Minister called the strike a “pivotal moment” for the region, warning his country has the right to respond.
A spokesman for Qatar’s foreign ministry Majed Al-Ansari said the attack was a “flagrant violation of all international laws and norms and a serious threat to the security and safety of Qataris and residents of Qatar”.
Israel says it acted alone
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