Doha/Jerusalem — Tensions in the Middle East escalated sharply on Tuesday after Israel launched airstrikes on what it said were Hamas leadership compounds in Doha, the capital of Qatar. The rare cross-border strike drew swift condemnation from Qatar, which labeled the attack “cowardly” and a grave violation of international law.
According to the Israeli military, the operation targeted senior Hamas leaders allegedly orchestrating attacks against Israel from abroad. “This was a precise and limited strike against terrorist infrastructure,” an Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesperson said. “Hamas leaders cannot find safe haven anywhere if they continue to plot violence against our citizens.” The spokesperson did not disclose the names of those killed or injured, but said the mission had “achieved its objectives.”
Qatari officials strongly rejected Israel’s justification, insisting that the strike violated the country’s sovereignty and endangered civilians in the densely populated capital. “This cowardly attack on our soil will not go unanswered,” Qatar’s foreign ministry said in a statement. “Israel has committed an act of aggression that threatens not only Qatar but also regional stability.”
The strikes reportedly hit residential areas near West Bay, one of Doha’s busiest districts, sending shockwaves through the city. Eyewitnesses described large explosions followed by plumes of smoke rising above high-rise buildings. Local hospitals confirmed receiving dozens of casualties, though official figures have not yet been released.
International reaction was swift. The United Nations Security Council announced it would hold an emergency session within 24 hours to address the crisis. Secretary-General António Guterres expressed “deep concern” over the escalation, urging both sides to exercise maximum restraint. “Any attack on civilian areas is unacceptable under international humanitarian law,” he said.
Regional powers have also weighed in. Turkey and Iran condemned the strikes, calling them reckless and destabilizing. Meanwhile, the United States urged calm but stopped short of directly criticizing Israel, instead emphasizing the need to prevent further escalation.
The incident marks the first time Israel has publicly acknowledged striking targets inside Qatar, a Gulf state known for hosting Hamas’s political office as well as serving as a mediator in regional conflicts. Analysts say the strike could strain Doha’s role as a diplomatic hub and complicate ongoing international efforts to broker peace in Gaza.
As night fell in Doha, security forces cordoned off several neighborhoods, while residents braced for possible further attacks. With the UN set to deliberate and Qatar vowing a response, the region faces yet another uncertain chapter in its volatile political landscape.