Historic Attack Shakes Gulf Stability

On September 9, 2025, Israel launched an unprecedented airstrike on Qatar’s capital Doha, marking the first direct military action by Israel against a Gulf Arab nation. The operation, codenamed “Fire Summit,” targeted senior Hamas political leaders who were meeting to discuss a US-backed ceasefire proposal for Gaza. This bold military action has sent shockwaves across the Middle East and raised serious questions about regional stability and international law.

Israeli jets striking Qatar in unprecedented Middle East escalation

The attack occurred at 3:46 p.m. local time, when 15 Israeli fighter jets fired 10 precision-guided munitions at a residential compound next to a Woqod petrol station in Doha’s Leqtaifiya district. The strike targeted a gated residential complex that served as Hamas’s political bureau headquarters. Israeli media reports suggest that drones also participated in the operation, which required mid-air refueling due to the 1,200-mile distance from Israel.

Casualties and Targets

Hamas confirmed that six people were killed in the attack, including Humam al-Hayya (son of Hamas chief negotiator Khalil al-Hayya), his office director Jihad Abu Labal, three bodyguards, and crucially, a Qatari security officer. However, the primary targets—senior Hamas political leaders including Khalil al-Hayya, Khaled Meshaal, and other negotiating team members—reportedly survived the assassination attempt.

Reports suggest that the Hamas leaders were meeting in a different part of the building when the strike occurred, with Iranian sources claiming the negotiators had left their phones in the targeted room to pray in a nearby area, inadvertently escaping the attack. Israeli Ambassador to the US Yechiel Leiter acknowledged the operation’s limitations, stating, “If we didn’t get them this time, we’ll get them the next time”.

International Condemnation and Diplomatic Fallout

The strike has drawn widespread international condemnation, with Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani calling it an act of “state terrorism” that demands “a response from the entire region”. Qatar condemned the attack as a “blatant violation of all international laws and norms” and a “cowardly assault” on its sovereignty.

President Donald Trump offered rare public criticism of Israel, expressing that he was “not thrilled about the whole situation” and emphasizing that it was “Netanyahu’s decision, not his”. The White House stated that Israel notified the US just before the strike, but Qatar insists the warning came after the explosions had begun.

Regional powers have rallied behind Qatar, with UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan making an unscheduled visit to Doha in solidarity. Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Lebanon, and Syria all issued strong condemnations, with Saudi Arabia warning about “severe repercussions” from Israel’s “ongoing criminal actions”. Iran’s Foreign Ministry called the attack “dangerous” and a “violation of international law”.

Netanyahu’s Justification and 9/11 Comparison

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defended the operation as retaliation for a September 8 shooting in Jerusalem that killed six Israelis, for which Hamas claimed responsibility. In a controversial move, Netanyahu compared the Hamas October 7, 2023 attack to September 11, arguing that just as America hunted terrorists after 9/11, Israel has the right to pursue Hamas leaders anywhere.

“I say to Qatar and all nations who harbor terrorists, you either expel them or you bring them to justice. Because if you don’t, we will,” Netanyahu declared. This statement drew sharp criticism from Qatar’s Foreign Ministry, which called it a “shameful attempt to justify the cowardly attack” and reminded Netanyahu that Hamas’s presence in Qatar was at the request of both the US and Israel for mediation purposes.

Impact on Ceasefire Negotiations

The timing of the strike was particularly significant, as it occurred while Hamas leaders were meeting to formulate their response to the latest US ceasefire proposal for Gaza. Qatar’s Prime Minister stated that the attack targeted Hamas’s negotiation team “while ceasefire discussions are underway,” demonstrating that “Israel’s intentions do not align with achieving peace”.

Qatar has suspended its mediation efforts in response to the attack, with Al Thani telling CNN that Netanyahu “killed any hope for those hostages”. The suspension of Qatar’s crucial mediating role—which it has maintained alongside Egypt and the US since October 2023—significantly dims prospects for ending the nearly two-year conflict and securing the release of remaining Israeli hostages.

Security Implications for the Gulf

The attack has profound implications for Gulf security and US-Gulf relations. Qatar hosts Al Udeid Air Base, the largest US military installation in the Middle East with about 10,000 American personnel. The fact that Israeli jets could strike near this massive US base has raised serious questions about American security guarantees to its Gulf allies.

Kristin Diwan of the Arab Gulf States Institute noted, “Qatar’s inability to protect its own people despite having U.S. Central Command on its soil has locals questioning what the American alliance means”. The incident represents the first time a Gulf Arab has been killed by Israeli action in decades, with Qatari security officer Sa’ad al-Haidi-Dosari becoming the first Gulf Arab casualty inflicted by Israel.

Regional Escalation Pattern

This attack is part of Israel’s broader regional military campaign since October 2023, making Qatar the seventh country Israel has bombed during this period. The strike follows Israel’s previous attacks on Iran, Lebanon, Syria, Yemen, and other regional targets, demonstrating what analysts call Israel’s “unconstrained regional activities”.

The attack occurred just three months after Iran launched missiles at the same US airbase in Qatar during a 12-day Israel-Iran conflict in June 2025. This means Qatar has now faced attacks from both regional adversaries and allies within a short timeframe, highlighting the emirate’s vulnerable position as a mediator.

Looking Forward: Collective Response

Qatar has announced plans for an Arab-Islamic summit in Doha on September 15, where regional countries will discuss a collective response to Israel’s attack. Prime Minister Al Thani emphasized that “there is a collective response that should emerge from the region” and expressed hope for “a meaningful response that deters Israel from continuing its aggressive behavior”.

The UAE’s strong support for Qatar, with Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan expressing “complete solidarity” and endorsing “all measures to safeguard Qatar’s security,” suggests growing Gulf unity against what they perceive as Israeli overreach.