The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) announced that it targeted “senior officials” of Hamas shortly after explosions shook the Qatari capital Doha, in what would mark the first known Israeli air strike on Qatari soil.
In a statement released on September 9, 2025, the IDF and Israel’s domestic intelligence agency Shin Bet said the operation was carried out “using the Air Force” with precision munitions. While the military did not disclose which aircraft were involved, the statement was accompanied by an image of a McDonnell Douglas F-15D Baz fighter.
The military described the strike as a response against Hamas leaders “directly responsible for carrying out the October 7 massacre and waging the war against the State of Israel.” It stressed that measures were taken to limit civilian casualties, citing the use of precision weapons and intelligence-based targeting.
Right now: Israel launched airstrikes on Qatar's capital, Doha. Reportedly at least 10 explosions were heard. pic.twitter.com/UEJwmH8dTM
— Special Kherson Cat 🐈🇺🇦 (@bayraktar_1love) September 9, 2025
Qatar condemns attack on residential buildings
The Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that residential properties in Doha housing members of Hamas’s political bureau had been hit. Ministry spokesman Majed Al-Ansari condemned the attack as “cowardly” and accused Israel of violating international law.
A clear picture of the building which was targeted earlier by the Israeli Air Force in the Qatari capital of Doha, with the interior and first floor appearing to have been totally destroyed, suggesting that it is unlikely anyone inside the building survived. pic.twitter.com/PnkhUpUqZ6
— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) September 9, 2025
Emergency services responded in Doha’s Katara district after several loud blasts, with smoke reported over parts of the city. No casualty figures have yet been released.
At the end of August 2025, IDF Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir pledged that “most of Hamas’s leaders are abroad, and we will find them too.” The apparent strike in Doha suggests Israel is beginning to extend that campaign beyond Gaza and neighboring countries.
The attack, dubbed Operation Summit of Fire by the IDF, marked an unprecedented expansion of Israeli air operations into the Gulf state of Qatar, which has long hosted Hamas’s political leadership.