What to Know About the Israeli Strike Targeting Hamas Leaders in Qatar

Israeli forces struck the capital city of Qatar, a U.S. strategic partner and Gaza cease-fire mediator, on Sept. 9, in an attack targeting Hamas leaders.
What to Know About the Israeli Strike Targeting Hamas Leaders in Qatar
Smoke billows after explosions in Doha's capital Qatar on Sept. 9, 2025, in a still from video. Jacqueline Penney/AFPTV/AFP via Getty Images
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The Israeli military launched a surprise strike on Doha, Qatar, on Sept. 9, intending to eliminate several political leaders of Hamas.

Qatar has played the role of mediator throughout the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict in the Gaza Strip. The Israeli strike comes as leaders of Hamas—an internationally-designated terrorist organization—have been reviewing the latest U.S. proposal to secure the release of hostages the group took on Oct. 7, 2023, and bring an end to nearly two years of fighting in Gaza.