Following widespread reports of powerful explosions that shook Doha on Tuesday, the Israeli military formally announced that it had executed what it described as a highly targeted and “precise strike” aimed directly at the senior leadership of Hamas. This action, which marks a dramatic development in the confrontation, represents not merely another episode of violence but rather a deliberate transformation in Israel’s military strategy. By launching strikes deep into Qatar, a nation outside the traditional battle zones of Gaza and its surrounding territories, Israel has extended its campaign to eliminate Hamas beyond its customary geographic parameters, thereby signaling an intention to broaden the scope of this conflict.
According to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), the airstrike was executed with the use of undisclosed aircraft, and it was coordinated in close partnership with Shin Bet, Israel’s highly influential domestic intelligence and internal security agency. The IDF emphasized in its official statement that considerable care was exercised in the planning and implementation of the operation in order to avert unnecessary civilian casualties. Measures reportedly included the deployment of precision-guided munitions specifically designed to limit collateral damage, as well as the reliance on extensive intelligence collection to ensure accuracy and minimize risks to the civilian population. Furthermore, the Israeli military reiterated its broader commitment to continuing decisive operations against Hamas, describing the organization as the party directly responsible for orchestrating the October 7 massacre, an event that has become a defining flashpoint in the war.
Almost simultaneously with the IDF statement, residents and media outlets in Doha—the bustling capital of Qatar, also known as a regional hub for business, diplomacy, and finance—reported a series of loud explosions resonating across the city. The implications of such strikes are especially notable because Qatar not only serves as a major political actor in the Middle East but also hosts Al Udeid Air Base, the largest American military installation in the region. The fact that this base has historically been a target of Iranian missile attacks, most notably in June, underscores the geopolitical sensitivities surrounding Qatar’s role. Against this backdrop, Business Insider reached out to the White House to ascertain whether the United States government had been informed in advance of the Israeli decision to carry out strikes so close to a crucial American facility; as of the time of reporting, no response had been provided.
Observers widely interpret this Israeli operation as a significant escalation in the ongoing and deeply destructive conflict with Hamas, which is now approaching the two-year milestone of continuous hostilities. It is an extraordinary episode due to Israel’s unusual decision to conduct an assassination attempt on Hamas figures outside the heavily embattled Gaza Strip. Recent precedent exists for such actions: in July 2024, Israel was broadly believed to have been responsible for the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh—the most senior leader of Hamas’ political wing—during his visit to Tehran. Additionally, Israel has carried out covert and overt strikes against adversaries in Lebanon and Yemen, further demonstrating its willingness to extend military action beyond conventional theaters of war.
In response to the latest developments, Qatar’s foreign ministry issued a statement denouncing the strike as both unacceptable and cowardly, framing it as a violation of sovereignty and an act that exacerbates regional instability. On the other side, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office responded unambiguously, asserting that the operation was conceived, authorized, and executed solely by Israel, without foreign coordination. The official statement declared that Israel not only initiated and carried out the mission independently but also fully accepts responsibility for its consequences. Taken together, these declarations underscore the profound sense of escalation now stemming from a single act of force, which has implications not just for the trajectory of the Israel–Hamas war but also for the fragile and interlinked dynamics of the broader Middle East region.
Sourse: https://www.businessinsider.com/israel-extends-hamas-kill-campaign-into-business-hub-doha-qatar-2025-9
