Qatar vows response after Israeli airstrike on Doha kills Hamas members, security officer

DOHA, Qatar (MNTV) – Qatar has condemned an Israeli airstrike on its capital that killed five Hamas members and a Qatari security officer, vowing to take legal and political steps in response to what it called a violation of its sovereignty.

Hamas confirmed that several senior leaders survived the strike on a residential area in Doha, but five of its members, including the son of exiled Gaza chief Khalil al-Hayya, were killed. Qatar’s Interior Ministry also confirmed the death of a member of its Internal Security Forces. Several others were wounded.

Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of dragging the region “to an irreversible point with his disregard to international laws and norms,” calling the attack “state terrorism.”

“Today, we have reached a turning point for there to be a response from the entire region against such barbaric conduct,” Sheikh Mohammed said, stressing that Qatar would not tolerate violations of its sovereignty. He announced the formation of a legal team under diplomat Mohammed bin Abdulaziz al-Khulaifi to prepare a comprehensive response to deter future attacks.

The attack on Doha marks the seventh country Israel has struck during the ongoing war, following previous strikes in Tunisia, Yemen, Syria, Iran, Lebanon, and across occupied Palestine.

International condemnation

The strike has drawn swift international criticism. The European Union said the attack breached international law and Qatar’s territorial integrity. “We express full solidarity with the authorities and the people of Qatar, a strategic partner of the EU,” the European External Action Service said in a statement, while reiterating its designation of Hamas as a terrorist organization.

France’s President Emmanuel Macron called the attack “unacceptable, whatever the reason may be,” and expressed solidarity with Emir Sheikh Tamim Al Thani, warning that the war must not spread further in the region.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer also condemned the strikes, saying they violated Qatar’s sovereignty and risked wider escalation. “The priority must be an immediate ceasefire, the release of hostages, and a huge surge in aid into Gaza,” he said.

Germany’s Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul described the attack as “unacceptable,” stressing in a call with Israeli counterpart Gideon Saar that it violated Qatar’s territorial sovereignty. Switzerland urged respect for international law and said dialogue must prevail. Belgium called for renewed negotiations, while Ireland’s Taoiseach Micheal Martin urged “everyone with influence” to act to prevent further escalation. Mauritania and Kazakhstan also denounced the strikes as violations of international conventions.

US distancing

The White House said President Donald Trump was informed of the strike by the US military as it was happening, at which point he directed Special Envoy Steve Witkoff to notify Qatar. US officials called the location of the attack “unfortunate” and said Israel acted “unilaterally” in a way that does “not advance Israel or America’s goals.”

Qatar, however, rejected claims it had been pre-warned, stating the US call only came once the attack was underway.

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu said Israel takes “full responsibility” for the attack, suggesting it was carried out without American cooperation. The Israeli army has not commented on the outcome.