Israel launched an attack aimed at assassinating Hamas leaders in Qatar Tuesday morning — just as they met for cease-fire talks in Doha, officials said. 

Several blasts were heard erupting in the capital, with plumes of black smoke seen billowing from the city’s Legtaifiya petrol station, witnesses told Reuters. 

It was not immediately clear if any of the terror group’s leaders were killed in the attack. 

A damaged building in Doha, Qatar, on Sept. 9. REUTERS

Smoke rises after several blasts were heard in Doha, Qatar, September 9, 2025. REUTERS

Hamas sources told Reuters that the Hamas negotiators survived the attack, but Arab media reported some members of the delegation were killed. 

The attack was primarily aimed at killing Khalil al-Hayya, Hamas’ top Gaza official and lead negotiator, a senior Israeli official told local media outlets.

“Today’s action against the top terrorist chieftains of Hamas was a wholly independent Israeli operation,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said following the attack. 

“Israel initiated it, Israel conducted it, and Israel takes full responsibility,” he added.

Israeli media reports say President Trump was aware of the planned strike and gave his approval. 

Al-Hayya and his delegation were in Qatar to hash out the terms of a cease-fire deal with Israel that has remained frozen for months. 

Israel targeted Hamas officials in Qatar. REUTERS

Qatar, which has been mediating the talks, condemned the Israeli attack as “cowardly,” describing an attack on negotiators as a flagrant violation of international law. 

A senior Qatari official told Israeli media that the Hamas delegation had recently received a new cease-fire proposal from Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff and had been discussing the terms with Prime Minister Mohammed Abdulrahman Al Thani on Monday. 

Several blasts were heard in Doha amid the strike. Storyful

“However, as has happened before, the Israelis undermined hopes for peace, further prolonging the war and complicating efforts to bring back the hostages,” the Qatari official said in a statement.

Qatar acts as the home base for Hamas’ political leaders — where they live in luxury while directing Gazans to continue the war of attrition against Israel. 

Smoke billows after explosions in Doha. AFPTV/AFP via Getty Images

Doha is also one of America’s key allies in the Middle East. 

The US Embassy in Qatar issued a “shelter-in-place order” for its facilities following the strikes in the capital. 

“We have seen reports of missile strikes occurring in Doha,” the embassy wrote on X. “US citizens are advised to shelter-in-place and monitor @USEmbassyDoha social media for updates.” 

Smoke after strikes in Doha, Qatar. AP

The attack on Qatar’s capital comes two days after Trump issued a “last warning” to Hamas to release the remaining 48 hostages in Gaza — 20 of whom are believed to be alive.

“I have warned Hamas about the consequences of not accepting,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social site. “This is my last warning, there will not be another one!”

Smoke rises after several blasts were heard in Doha on Tuesday, September 9, 2025. REUTERS

Hamas had previously accepted the terms of a Qatari- and Egyptian-backed deal to free 10 living hostages and the bodies of 18 other captives in exchange for a 60-day cease-fire.

Israel had rejected the deal, saying it would only accept a deal to free all the hostages at once. 

Netanyahu also rejected terms to negotiate a permanent peace, reiterating that the war will only end once Hamas is destroyed. 

With Post wires