Reports from Qatar’s capital, Doha, have confirmed that Israeli fighter jets carried out airstrikes on the city, striking near a Hamas delegation said to be meeting on the latest proposal put forward by the United States. The Israeli army, in a formal statement, acknowledged responsibility for the strikes, stating that they were conducted by fighter aircraft.
The incident unfolded in Doha’s Katara district, an area known for its cultural and diplomatic significance. Witnesses described a scene of chaos as loud detonations reverberated across the neighbourhood, followed by plumes of black smoke rising into the air. The blasts triggered secondary explosions, intensifying the damage and sparking alarm across the Qatari capital.
‘Israeli official tells me explosion in Doha is an assassination attempt against Hamas officials’
— Axios journalist Barak Ravid reported, providing further context on the potential motive behind the assault.
❗️Israel BOMBS Qatar
Smoke rises as multiple explosions ROCK capital Doha
‘Israeli official tells me explosion in Doha is an assassination attempt against Hamas officials’ — Axios reporter Barak Ravid pic.twitter.com/3xEibsqOSl
— RT (@RT_com) September 9, 2025
Doha has long served as a base for Hamas’s political leadership, providing a venue for dialogue between the movement and foreign mediators. The reported attack raises concerns about whether Qatar’s role as a broker in ceasefire or hostage-release talks may now be compromised. Analysts suggest that such an incident could escalate tensions not only between Israel and Hamas but also strain diplomatic ties with states attempting to mediate in the ongoing conflict.
The attack also raises pressing humanitarian concerns. While the Israeli army has claimed responsibility for the strikes, full details regarding casualties or the scale of the destruction in Katara remain unclear. Residents of Doha expressed shock at the violence, as the Gulf state has seldom been a site of direct military confrontation.
