Above photo: Hamas leaders attacked in Qatar: Israeli missiles hit a residential area of Doha.
International condemnation of Israel’s attack on residential area of Qatari capital mounts.
Here’s a recap of today’s major events:
- Israel launched air strikes on a residential area in the Qatari capital, Doha, targeting Hamas’s leadership.
- Top Hamas leaders, who were meeting to discuss Trump’s ceasefire proposal, survived the attack, but six others, including a Qatari security officer, were killed.
- Qatar decried the assault as “state terrorism”, promising to respond to the strikes, which it said “must not be overlooked”.
- The US distanced itself from the attack, with Trump saying that the assassination attempt was not his decision, and adding that it “does not advance Israel or America’s goals”.
- Countries across the world, including Arab states and some of Israel’s Western allies, condemned the strikes.
- In Gaza, Israel pushed on with its brutal campaign of bombardment and displacement, killing at least 52 Palestinians.
African Union chair condemns Israeli attack on Qatar
Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, the chairperson of the African Union Commission, has issued a statement condemning Israel’s attack on Doha, warning it “risks endangering an already fragile situation in the Middle East”.
Youssouf renewed African Union calls for “restraint, respect for sovereignty, and the protection of civilians”.
He also noted that Qatar has played a “longstanding role in peace, mediation, and diplomacy, underscoring the urgent need for renewed dialogue towards a just and lasting peace in the Middle East”.
You can see how countries around the world have been reacting to the attack here.
Trump says will give full statement tomorrow
In a brief interview with reporters, Trump said he was “not thrilled” about Israel’s strike on Qatar.
He said he would be making a full statement tomorrow.
While Trump posted on social media about the attack earlier today and the White House press secretary made comments, these are his first verbal statements on the attack.
Whether US had advance knowledge of attack has huge implications
What most investigative reporters in Washington, DC, are going to be trying to figure out in the hours ahead is whether the US gave the green light to this [attack], and whether or not they did has huge implications. Obviously, this is a very unprecedented move by the Israelis. It goes against international law to bomb a sovereign country, that is, Qatar.
The question is: Did the US know this was happening, give them the green light, and are now just trying to act like they were taken by surprise?
But if they didn’t know, that’s an even bigger question.
US senator says Netanyahu government ‘completely out of control’
Leftist Senator Bernie Sanders has reiterated his call for the US to cut off weapons to Israel after today’s strike on Qatar.
“Netanyahu’s extremist government is completely out of control. Not only are they starving children in Gaza, they are now breaking international law by dropping bombs on Qatar, a US security partner,” Sanders wrote in a post on X.
“When is enough, enough? NO MORE US MILITARY AID TO ISRAEL.”
UNSC to meet Wednesday on Israel’s Qatar strikes
The UN Security Council will hold an emergency meeting on Wednesday in response to Israel’s strikes targeting Hamas officials in Qatar, diplomatic sources told the AFP.
The meeting, scheduled for 3pm in New York City (19:00 GMT), was requested by Algeria and Pakistan, among others.
US Muslim group slams Trump’s ‘Israel First’ policies
Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) highlights that with the assassination attempt in Qatar, Israel has attacked five Arab countries in the past days, including a suspected Israeli drone strike on a Gaza-bound humanitarian flotilla in Tunisia.
“We strongly condemn the out-of-control Israeli government’s bombings of Tunisia, Syria, Lebanon and even Qatar, all in the past few days,” CAIR said in a statement.
“The Trump administration’s Israel First policy is not only enabling the genocide in Gaza and ethnic cleansing in the West Bank, but violence across the region.”
Israeli politicians unite behind Doha strikes
Across the ideological spectrum, Israeli officials and opposition figures have praised the bombing of a residential area targeting Hamas leaders in Doha.
Far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir hailed the assault as a “historic decision”, while President Isaac Herzog – seen as a centrist by Israel’s standards – said the attack was “important and correct”.
Outside the government, opposition figures lined up to back the strikes.
“Congratulating the Air Force, [military], Shin Bet, and all security forces on an exceptional operation to thwart our enemies,” opposition head Yair Lapid wrote on X, despite the apparent failure of the assassination attempt.
Blue and White-National Unity alliance leader Benny Gantz was equally approving. “I commend the political echelon for the decision to carry out the targeted killing and the [military], Shin Bet, and all security forces for executing the operation,” he said.
Avigdor Lieberman, leader of Israel’s opposition Yisrael Beiteinu party, declared that “justice was served”.
“Thanks to the … security forces who made it clear to the entire world: Jewish blood is not cheap,” he wrote in a social media post.
Sumud flotilla says was hit by another suspected drone attack
We’ve been following the Global Sumud Flotilla‘s journey to Gaza on our live page, which you can check out here.
A little earlier on that page, we reported that the flotilla said in a social media post that one of its Gaza-bound aid vessels had been struck by another suspected drone attack, following a similar possible attack yesterday in the port of Tunis.
“Another boat has been hit in a suspected drone attack. No injuries reported,” the group said in a social media post on Tuesday. “Updates to follow soon.”
Non-Western countries could increase pressure on Israel over time
Rami Khouri, a distinguished fellow at the American University of Beirut, has said that rising non-Western powers, such as various BRICS nations, could raise the cost of continued US support for Israel.
“It could mean a big deterioration in American relations with partners around the globe, such as Egypt and other places. But I don’t think there’s going to be anything dramatic because the Arab countries don’t have options. They can’t reduce their links with the US militarily and in other ways, because nobody else is going to provide that role,” Khouri told Al Jazeera.
“But it could generate a slow turn in global diplomacy, where you find, for example, the BRICS countries, the China-Russia partnership, playing a more dynamic role,” he added.
‘It is clear they have no interest in a ceasefire’: Rashida Tlaib
The Palestinian American congresswoman has renewed calls for ending US funding and the sending of weapons to Israel after the Doha attack.
“The Israeli government is again attempting to murder ceasefire negotiators, now bombing the capital of a US ally with total impunity,” she wrote in a social media post.
“It is clear they have no interest in a ceasefire to end their genocide of Palestinians.”
Israel wants to force Palestinians ‘to bend the knee’
Jeremy Scahill, cofounder of Drop Site News, says the attack in Doha is “yet another sign” that “neither the United States nor Israel are interested in actually having a negotiated end” to the war on Gaza.
Scahill underscored that Hamas made major concessions in accepting a ceasefire proposal last month, dropping demands for a timetable for Israeli withdrawal from the border area with Egypt and lowering the number of Palestinian captives it is requesting in exchange for Israelis held in Gaza.
The veteran journalist said Israel did not even respond to the Hamas-approved proposal, and instead pushed on with the assault on Gaza City in a plan to forcibly displace more than one million Palestinians.
“They want to try to force the Palestinians to bend the knee, liberate the Israeli captives and continue on with their war of annihilation,” Scahill told AJ+.
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Cuba, Venezuela join global condemnation of Israeli attack
Cuba’s Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez has slammed Israel’s attack on the Hamas delegation in Doha, describing it as a “new extrajudicial execution by Zionism.”
Rodriguez also said the attack was “a flagrant violation” of international law and Qatar’s sovereignty, and a “serious threat” to regional security and stability.
Venezuela’s foreign ministry also shared a statement strongly condemning what it described as Israel’s “cowardly attack” against “Qatar’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
Venezuela described the attack as “an act of state terrorism, a flagrant violation of international law, and a challenge to the principles of peaceful coexistence among nations.”
Algeria asks UN Security Council to meet
Algeria has asked for the UN Security Council (UNSC) to meet, diplomats said.
The country requested that the 15-member council meet on Wednesday. Earlier today, Qatar formally protested to the UNSC.
The Democratic US congresswoman has condemned the Israeli attack in Doha.
“This attack, which violates international law, not only further harms the possibility of a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas but it also jeopardizes the lives of the remaining hostages,” Omar wrote in a social media post.
“Netanyahu must be held accountable for his war crimes.”
Israel’s attack in Qatar may bring war in Gaza to an end
The drone strikes targeting a Hamas delegation in Doha point to a premeditated attempt to derail negotiations and to make sure the ceasefire does not happen, Israeli former diplomat Alon Pinkas says.
The delegation was meeting in the Qatari capital to discuss a US proposal for a ceasefire deal. Instead of following Trump’s leadership, Netanyahu opted for striking the officials as they met with Qatari mediators.
“There is a breaking point even for Donald Trump,” Pinkas said, suggesting the US president may have run out of patience with the Israeli leader.
“Trump might pick up the phone and say: ‘Now I’ve had enough, I stood by you, I’ve supported you and risked political allies – enough is enough, you have 24-48 hours to end the war or there will be consequences’,” the analyst said.
“If he feels he’s being conned by Netanyahu, that could [bring about] the end of the war.”
Situation is calm in central Doha after earlier panic, fear
The situation here on the Cornish in central Doha is calm now.
But it’s fair to say that when we heard those explosions ringing out across the city, there was a great sense of fear.
We tried to get as close to the location as we could, soon after the attacks, [but] we were swiftly moved on by the Qatari police at the time.
But the people gathered in that area, you really got a sense of the fear that they were feeling.
Of course, you only need to go back to June, when we had the Iranians targeting the American air base here.
Those attacks were intercepted at the time, but those memories are very much at the forefront of people living here.
There is a huge expat community in Qatar that comes to Qatar to benefit from the security of life here.
So this is an unprecedented moment in their experience of living in Qatar, and it is perfectly understandable, the kind of anxieties that they, no doubt, will be feeling following this unprecedented attack on the State of Qatar today.
Israeli bombardment hits mosque in Gaza’s Deir el-Balah
A video verified by Al Jazeera’s Sanad agency shows the moment an Israeli strike targeted the Ibn Taymiyyah Mosque in Deir el-Balah, in the central Gaza Strip.
The video shows a flash of light as the mosque’s minaret is engulfed in a thick cloud of smoke. It appeared to have remained standing despite the explosion.
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Key takeaways from Qatari PM remarks
Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani has spoken to reporters about the Israeli attack on Doha and its implications for the region. Here are a few takeaways:
- Qatar will not let this one go: Sheikh Mohammed made it clear that the Israeli strikes “must not be overlooked”, saying that Qatar is mobilising all tools to respond to the attack beyond statements and condemnations, including by forming a legal team to hold Israel accountable.
- Focus on Netanyahu: While strongly condemning the strikes, which he called “state terrorism”, the Qatari prime minister reserved a great share of his anger for Netanyahu, accusing the Israeli prime minister of undermining regional stability in pursuit of “narcissistic delusions” and personal gains. He also accused the Israeli leader of spoiling all peace efforts.
- Calls for regional response: The Qatari prime minister suggested that countries across the Middle East must come together to rein in Israel. “Today, we have reached a turning point for there to be a response from the entire region against such barbaric conduct,” he said.
- Qatar’s diplomacy will continue: Asked about Qatar’s diplomacy to secure a ceasefire in Gaza, Sheikh Mohammed stressed that Doha will continue to do all it can to end the war, suggesting that the Gulf country is not giving up its role as a mediator. However, he said, the Israeli attack had likely sunk this round of negotiations over the Trump proposal. “When it comes to the current talks, I don’t think there is something valid right now after we’ve seen such an attack,” he said.
More European nations condemn Israeli attack
Officials from the Netherlands, Portugal, and Spain have condemned Israel’s attack on Qatar.
Portuguese Ministry of Foreign Affairs: [Portugal] condemns the Israeli attack in Doha, which violates the sovereignty of Qatar and increases the risk of escalation of violence in the region. We reinforce that the priority is an immediate ceasefire and the release of the hostages. The two-state solution is essential for a stable peace.
Dutch Minister of Foreign Affairs David van Weel: The Netherlands condemns the Israeli airstrike in Doha. The sovereignty of states must be respected. Additionally, this step doesn’t bring a much needed ceasefire in the Gaza Strip any closer. The Netherlands reiterates that Hamas is a terrorist organisation that must release all hostages and lay down its weapons.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez: I strongly condemn the Israeli attack on Qatar. Violating its sovereignty and territory is a clear violation of the principles of the United Nations Charter. Violence cannot continue to spread uncontrollably throughout the Middle East. It is time to return to the framework of rationality, diplomacy, and International Law.
Iran calls on Muslim world ‘to act in unison’ against Israel
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has reacted to the attack in Qatar, saying the “only way to decisively address the recklessness of the Israeli regime is for the Muslim world to act in unison.”
“Iran stands ready to deepen cooperation in the interest of confronting threats to international peace and security,” the foreign minister said on X.
Iran fought a 12-day conflict with Israel in June. Tehran’s relations with Gulf countries have been strained by geopolitical rivalries and ideological differences.
Israel has heinously done what Iran would never contemplate: attacking the dear People and Government of Qatar.
Iran stands with its Qatari and Palestinian brothers in the face of this illegal attack on urban residences used by civilian guests of the State of Qatar who do not… pic.twitter.com/vg4vRP8Lo9
— Seyed Abbas Araghchi (@araghchi) September 9, 2025
