Israel carried out a targeted airstrike on Tuesday against several leaders of the Islamist terrorist organization Hamas in Doha. The army and the internal security service (Shin Bet) first announced this, and then the Prime Minister's Office confirmed it, adding that the attack was a completely independent Israeli operation. The action was condemned by several countries. Pope Leo, the head of the Catholic Church, expressed concern about the possible consequences.
Reactions are pouring into the Israeli airstrike on the Qatari capital, Doha. UN Secretary-General António Guterres condemned the incident, calling it a “grave violation of Qatar’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.” He also said that Qatar is playing a very positive role in achieving a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of all hostages held by Hamas.
“All parties must strive to achieve a lasting ceasefire, not to destroy it,” Guterres told reporters.
"In the last few minutes, very serious news has arrived: Israel has launched an attack on some Hamas leaders in Qatar," the Catholic head of state said.
The whole situation is very serious. We don't know where this is going. We need to pray
– the Italian news agency ANSA quoted the Pope as saying.
Saudi Arabia condemned what it called"brutal Israeli aggression and a flagrant violation of Qatar's sovereignty." The Saudi Foreign Ministry said in a statement that it would provide all its capabilities to Qatar to support it. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman confirmed the kingdom's commitment to Qatar in a phone call shortly after the attack, The Guardian reports.
The Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade announced on his social media page that he had spoken by phone with the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs of Qatar following the Israeli attack on Doha. During the conversation, they reaffirmed the friendship between the two countries and “our mutual commitment to peace in the Middle East.”
In his post, Péter Szijjártó thanked the country for their help in releasing hostages of Hungarian nationality.
Péter Tarjányi reacted to the events on his social media page. The security policy expert stated that “this is not only an airstrike, but also the opening of a new front”. He also drew attention to the fact that the negotiations between Hamas and Israel, the ceasefire negotiations and the hostage deal have so far been mediated by Qatar, and that “this role could also collapse” as a result of what happened.
The British government has criticized Israel's decision to launch airstrikes against Hamas officials stationed in Qatar, saying they do not want to see a further escalation of violence in the region, which could only cause further destabilization.
"We want an end to the suffering in Gaza, starting with the release of all hostages, an immediate ceasefire and increased aid to the region, so that lasting peace can prevail in the wider region," the British said.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said Israel's airstrike in Doha was"a grave violation of international law and an escalation that threatens regional security and stability."
#عاجل | البلاستنيا: محمود ابابس يدين الاعتداء يسرايلي الغاشم على دولة #قطر الشقيقة
— قناة الجزيرة (@AJArabic) September 9, 2025
- الاعتداء يسرايلي على دولة قطر خرق فاضح للقانون الدوليل وتصعيد يهدد الممن والتسلابة pic.twitter.com/RccyOlg0OR
In a statement issued on X, he stresses the importance of stopping the escalation, warning that an escalation of the current situation would have"huge consequences not only for the region but also for the entire world."
Turkey says Israel seeks to continue war instead of peace
“Turkey condemns Israel’s attack on Hamas members in the Qatari capital, Doha,” the Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday, adding that it shows that Israel has elevated its expansionism and terrorism in the region to a state policy level.
Targeting Hamas' negotiating delegation during ongoing ceasefire talks shows that Israel is not seeking peace, but rather continuing the war
- the ministry said in a statement.
China's embassy in Qatar issued a security alert to Chinese citizens on Tuesday following the Israeli airstrike on Doha. In a statement, the embassy asked Chinese citizens to"try to reduce unnecessary trips and avoid traveling to high-risk areas."
Jordan condemned Israel's strike on Qatar, with its Foreign Ministry calling it a"dangerous and unacceptable provocative escalation." Kuwait also strongly condemned the incident and stressed its full support for Qatar's retaliatory measures.
Abdullah bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, also condemned the attack. The Sultan of Oman called the attack a"flagrant violation of sovereignty" in a statement from the Omani Foreign Ministry, reports the BBC.
