On September 9, 2025, Israel conducted an airstrike in Doha, Qatar, targeting senior Hamas figures. The operation, reportedly codenamed "Atzeret HaDin," aimed to disrupt Hamas leadership, striking individuals identified as orchestrating the October 7, 2023, attacks and subsequent hostilities. The strike reportedly hit residential compounds housing key Hamas officials, including Khalil al-Hayya, Khaled Mashal, Zaher Jabarin, and Muhammad Ismail Darwish.
Hamas sources asserted that their principal leaders survived the attack, but reported the deaths of Khalil al-Hayya's son, Hammam al-Hayya, and his office director, Jihad Labad. A Qatari security officer, Warrant Officer Badr Saad Mohammed al-Humaidi al-Dosari, was killed in the incident, with several other security personnel injured.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed the operation, stating it was a "wholly independent Israeli operation" in response to recent attacks, including a shooting in Jerusalem. He emphasized the targeted individuals' responsibility for the October 7 massacre and the ongoing war.
The international community reacted with widespread concern. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres decried the strike as a "flagrant violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Qatar," highlighting Qatar's mediation role. Egypt echoed this sentiment, labeling the attack a "dangerous precedent" and an unacceptable violation of international law. Numerous other nations, including Turkey, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Iran, Pakistan, Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, Spain, and the United Kingdom, issued strong condemnations, citing breaches of Qatari sovereignty and the potential for regional escalation.
The United States confirmed it had been informed of the strike in advance. This development occurred as Hamas leaders were reportedly considering a new U.S.-drafted proposal for a ceasefire and hostage release. The strike has been viewed by many as a potential sabotage of these delicate diplomatic efforts, leading Qatar to suspend its mediation role.