‘Top Terrorist Chieftains’: Israel Strikes Hamas Leadership in Qatar

Latest Developments

Hamas Leaders in Doha Targeted: The IDF carried out a “precise strike” against senior Hamas officials meeting in the Qatari capital of Doha on September 9, where they were reportedly discussing a U.S.-proposed ceasefire in Gaza. The gathering was believed to include all of the terror group’s top leadership outside Gaza, including the leader of Hamas’s Gaza units, Khalil al-Hayya; Zaher Jabarin, who leads Hamas in the West Bank; Muhammad Darwish, the head of Hamas’s Shura Council; Nizar Awadallah, a member of the Hamas political bureau; and Khaled Mashaal, the head of Hamas abroad. Hamas initially denied that any of its senior leadership was eliminated in the attack but acknowledged that at least five lower-level members of the terrorist organization had been killed. “Today’s action against the top terrorist chieftains of Hamas was a wholly independent Israeli operation,” a statement from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office read.
White House Uneasy With Doha Bombing: Israel reportedly notified the United States ahead of the attack. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that the White House had received advance warning from “the U.S. military.” She then expressed regret that Israel had “unilaterally” bombed Qatar, describing the emirate as “a sovereign nation and close ally of the United States that is working very hard and bravely taking risks with us to broker peace,” asserting that the attack “does not advance Israel’s or America’s goals” and reporting that President Trump “feels very badly about the location of this attack.” However, Leavitt added that “eliminating Hamas, who have profited off the misery of those living in Gaza, is a worthy goal.” Two days prior to the attack, Trump posted a harshly worded warning to Hamas after Israel formally accepted his administration’s latest ceasefire proposal.
Strike Agreed After Deadly Jerusalem Terrorist Attack: In a joint statement, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz stated that the decision to target the Hamas leaders was made after a terrorist attack that killed six Israelis at a Jerusalem bus stop. “The Prime Minister and Defense Minister believed that the operation was fully justified in view of the fact that this Hamas leadership was the one that initiated and organized the October 7 massacre, and has not ceased carrying out murderous actions against the State of Israel and its citizens since then, including taking responsibility for the murder of our citizens in yesterday’s attack in Jerusalem,” they wrote. Israel’s neighbors, meanwhile, rallied around Qatar, with Iran, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain, and the United Arab Emirates issuing statements condemning the Israeli operation.

FDD Expert Response

“Today’s bold and necessary Israeli strike against Hamas leadership sends a clear message: the terror group faces the same choice it has had from the start — free the hostages and relinquish power or be eliminated, terrorist by terrorist.” — Mark Dubowitz, CEO

“Israel’s strike has shattered the idea that Hamas leaders were safe in Qatar and threw a wrench into Qatar’s ‘play both sides’ approach to foreign affairs. Whether because of or in spite of its relationship with the United States, Qatar has long managed to avoid scrutiny for sponsoring Hamas and other terrorist groups. Now is the moment for the Trump administration to deliver an overdue reset on the U.S.-Qatar relationship.” — Natalie Ecanow, Senior Research Analyst

“The people targeted in Qatar are terrorists. They have American blood on their hands. They are not negotiators, diplomats, or officials. They have been playing Washington for nearly two years with the help of their host and sponsor. This strike is 23 months overdue.” — Richard Goldberg, Senior Advisor