Doha, Qatar – 10 September 2025

CJ Global exclusive coverage 

In a dramatic escalation of the conflict, the Israeli military launched an airstrike on a villa in Doha, Qatar, in an apparent attempt to assassinate the top political leadership of Hamas. The raid, which occurred as Hamas officials were reportedly considering a new ceasefire proposal, has been condemned by Qatar as a “flagrant violation” of its sovereignty and has thrown the ongoing negotiations into turmoil.

The strike targeted the residence of senior Hamas leader Khalil al-Hayya, who has been leading the group’s negotiations with Israel. While Hamas confirmed that several lower-level members, including the son of a senior official, were killed, the group stated that its top leadership survived the attack. The Israeli government confirmed the strike, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu framing it as part of Israel’s ongoing effort to eliminate those responsible for the October 7, 2023, attack. 

The decision to carry out an assassination attempt in Qatar, a key U.S. ally and the primary mediator in the ceasefire talks, is a significant strategic gamble. The attack immediately drew strong condemnation from Qatar, which suspended its role as a mediator and referred to the strike as “state terrorism.” The incident has raised serious questions about the future of the peace process, with critics arguing that it has undermined the very negotiations it was meant to influence.

Egypt’s Response

Egypt, a long-standing mediator in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, condemned the Israeli airstrike. Egyptian officials stated that the attack was a blatant attempt to torpedo the ongoing peace process and a serious threat to the stability of the region. Cairo had been deeply involved in a recent push to bring Hamas to the table to accept a ceasefire proposal, with Egyptian intelligence officials meeting with Hamas leadership to urge them to move forward with a deal.

Jordan’s Response

Jordan’s reaction was swift and critical. The Jordanian Foreign Minister referred to Israel as a “rogue state” and a threat to regional stability. Amman argued that the attack, which violated the sovereignty of a third country, demonstrated that Israel was not genuinely interested in a ceasefire. Jordan has called on the international community to hold Israel accountable and to ensure that the prospects for peace are not completely destroyed.

USA’s Response

The United States, a close ally of both Israel and Qatar, sought to distance itself from the attack. The Trump administration confirmed that Israel had notified it shortly before the strike but that the U.S. had not coordinated or approved the action. President Donald Trump described the attack as an “unfortunate incident” that did not advance U.S. or Israeli goals. U.S. officials also stated that a warning was passed to Qatar, although Qatari officials contradicted this, saying the warning came after the strike was already underway.

Israel’s Response

In an official statement, the Israeli military confirmed the strike and said that the targeted Hamas leaders were directly responsible for the October 7 massacre. The operation was lauded by some Israeli officials, including President Isaac Herzog and opposition leader Yair Lapid, as an “important and correct” move to eliminate Israel’s enemies. The Israeli government has maintained that it will continue to pursue Hamas leadership wherever they are located.

EU’s Response

The European Union’s response was marked by a call for de-escalation, though there was a lack of a unified front. The EU has consistently been divided on how to respond to Israeli military actions, and this incident was no different. The EU’s top diplomat reiterated the need for a permanent ceasefire and the release of all hostages, while other member states condemned the violation of Qatar’s sovereignty. The UN Security Council has scheduled an emergency meeting in response to the attack.

Iran’s Response

Iran strongly condemned the Israeli airstrike, with President Masoud Pezeshkian calling it an “illegal, inhumane, and anti-peace action.” Iranian officials accused Israel of showing a complete disregard for international law and said the attack on its proxy’s leadership demonstrated that Israel was not interested in diplomacy. The incident was also framed by some Iranian commentators as evidence that siding with the U.S. does not guarantee a country’s security.

Qatar’s Response

Qatar’s response was one of outrage. The Qatari government, which has been crucial to the ongoing negotiations, condemned the attack in the strongest possible terms. Qatari officials called the strike “state terrorism” and a “criminal act” that violated its sovereignty and security. The Qatari Prime Minister stated that the country would not tolerate such “reckless Israeli behavior” and has suspended its role as a mediator, a decision that could have a significant impact on the future of the ceasefire talks.