Multiple explosions rattled Qatar capital Doha on Tuesday as Israel targeted Hamas leadership staying in the Gulf nation. Reports suggested that that Israel attack was given a go-ahead by US President Donald Trump.
Who were Hamas leaders targeted by Israel in Doha?
Khaled Mashaal, who heads Hamas abroad and has escaped Israel assassination bid in Jordan in 1997, was present at the building bombed by Israel, according to Channel 12. Khalil al-Hayya, who is the Hamas leader in Gaza, Zaher Jabarin, who is the leader of Hamas in the West Bank, and Muhammad Darwish, the head of Hamas Shura Council, were also at the location, said reports.
Senior Israeli 🇮🇱 told Barak Ravid that the explosion in Doha 🇶🇦 is an assassination operation against Hamas leaders
— Saad Abedine (@SaadAbedine) September 9, 2025
Several blasts were heard in Qatar's Doha on Tuesday, Reuters witnesses said.
Smoke was seen rising over the Katara District in the capital, an eyewitness said… https://t.co/6Kd1mOEZvT pic.twitter.com/cs1BGEHLG8
However, there is no official confirmation regarding the identities of the people killed in the airstrikes. Saudi channel Al-Hadath reported that senior Hamas figures, including Khalil al-Hayya, Khaled Mashaal, Zaher Jabarin, and Nizar Awadallah were killed. But Al Jazeera cited a senior Hamas official, reporting that the Hamas leadership survived the strike.
'Day of Judgment'
Israel has officially named the strike in Qatar as "Atzeret HaDin," which translates to "Day of Judgment", reported Channel 12. The name is reference to the Jewish holiday of Shemini Atzeret, during which Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, 2023.
An explosion has been reported in Doha, Qatar. Awaiting further information on the nature of the blast. pic.twitter.com/hf26G9Ptsa
— Joe Truzman (@JoeTruzman) September 9, 2025
Israel Defense Forces and Shin Bet confirmed that the Israeli Air Force carried out precise strikes to eliminate top Hamas leaders, adding that efforts were taken to minimise non-combatant deaths.
"The members of the leadership who were struck led the terror organization’s activities for years, and are directly responsible for carrying out the October 7 massacre and waging the war against the State of Israel," read the statement.
The airstikes come after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu skipped his legal hearing on Tuesday due to "an exceptional security matter," reported the Kan public broadcaster. Netanyahu reported spoke to his military secretary Major General Roman Gofman, according to Kan.
Netanyahu’s office said the airstrikes on Hamas leaders in Doha was a wholly independent Israeli operation. "Israel initiated it, Israel conducted it, and Israel takes full responsibility," the statement said.
Channel 12 citing a top Israeli official reported that US President Donald Trump approved the Israeli strike in Qatar.
Israel has eliminated most Hamas leaders in Gaza and the remaining leaders have been staying in Qatar, Egypt and elsewhere.
