What we covered here
• Israel carried out an unprecedented attack against Hamas leadership in the capital of Qatar, which has been a key mediator in Gaza ceasefire talks — putting hostage negotiations at risk.
• Hamas said the strike killed five members but failed to assassinate the negotiating delegation. A Qatari security official also died in the strike.
• US President Donald Trump expressed displeasure about the attack. “I’m not thrilled about the whole situation. It’s not a good situation,” he said, adding he would issue a full statement on Wednesday. Qatar’s prime minister was visibly angry as he described the strike as “state terrorism.”
Our live coverage of Israel’s attack on Hamas in Doha has moved here.
Israel's ambassador to US vows to hit Hamas targets "next time"
Israel’s ambassador to the US, Yechiel Leiter, warned in an interview with Fox News that Israel would continue targeting Hamas — and that if it had missed any targets during its strike in Doha, it would “get them next time.”
Leiter was asked about criticism of Tuesday’s strike, including that it did not kill all of its intended targets, and the White House statement that it did not “advance Israel or America’s goals.” Leiter was undeterred:
“If we didn’t get them this time, we’ll get them next time,” Leiter said.
Hamas has been “put on notice,” he said. “Wherever they are, whenever they are, they are on notice.”
He also foregrounded the US-Israel partnership, despite President Donald Trump expressing earlier Tuesday that he was “not thrilled” about the strike.
Asia Pacific nations condemn Israel's strike on Doha
Leaders of Asia Pacific nations are speaking out against Israel’s strike on Doha, voicing concern and condemnation.
Australia’s Foreign Minister Penny Wong criticized the strike as “the wrong thing to do” in an interview with CNN affiliate Sky News. She said it jeopardizes Qatari and the US efforts to broker a ceasefire, violates Qatar’s sovereignty, and risks escalation, “which is in no one’s interests.”
New Zealand’s Foreign Minister Winston Peters posted a similar statement on X, saying, “The violence must stop.”
Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim wrote on X that he “condemns in the strongest possible terms” the Israeli strike, calling it a “wanton act of aggression” that violates international law. He said Malaysia stands “in full solidarity” with Qatar, and that Israel had shown “utter contempt for peace and diplomacy.”
Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu condemned the strike as “cowardly” in a post on X, and urged the international community to hold Israel accountable.
Indonesia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs also urged the international community to act, condemning the strike as “a grave threat to regional security and peace.”
India’s Ministry of External Affairs said the government was “deeply concerned” by news of the strike, but stopped short of condemning it. It urged all parties to exercise “restraint and diplomacy” to prevent further escalation.
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the strike as “totally unjustified” and a “dangerous provocation” on X, saying he had spoken with Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani to express Pakistan’s sympathy and solidarity.
Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi warned in a news conference that the attack “hinders diplomatic efforts,” voiced support for Qatar, and urged Israel to “return to the negotiating table.”
Vance says Trump doesn’t think Israel’s Qatar strike serves US or Israeli interests
Vice President JD Vance expressed frustration Tuesday with Israel’s attack against Hamas leadership in Doha, telling a conservative news outlet that President Donald Trump doesn’t think it serves US or Israeli interests.
Trump told reporters that he was “not thrilled about the whole situation,” while previewing “a full statement tomorrow.”
In his interview with OANN, Vance also suggested “a silver lining” to Israel’s attack, telling Gaetz,” it looks like it probably eliminated a couple of very bad guys from Hamas… even though we disagree with the underlying decision.”
"I’m not thrilled about the whole situation," Trump says about the Israeli attack in Doha
US President Donald Trump said he was not happy about how Israel’s attack on Hamas leadership inside Qatar transpired today, potentially putting Gaza ceasefire talks on uncertain ground.
The day’s events underscored the fragile nature of Trump’s attempts to broker peace in Gaza, his often-frustrating relationship with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his efforts to maintain strong ties with the US allies in the Gulf.
Some of Trump’s advisers are also angry over Israel’s decision to strike inside Doha, with many particularly frustrated that they weren’t able to weigh in or warn the Qataris.
Trump was informed of the strike only shortly before it began — and not by Israel itself, but by Chairman of the Joint Staff Gen. Dan Caine, according to a US official. He immediately told White House special envoy Steve Witkoff to brief them, according to another US official. Witkoff has a longstanding relationship with the Qataris.
However, by the time Witkoff was able to reach them, it was too late, a US official told CNN. Adding to the ire, Witkoff had met Monday with one of Netanyahu’s top advisers, Ron Dermer, but was not alerted of the impending strikes during those talks.
More key figures react to Israel’s attack in Qatar. Here’s what they’re saying
Israel’s attack in Doha today targeted residential buildings housing several members of the Hamas political bureau, a spokesperson from Qatar’s foreign ministry said. Qatar has been a key mediator in Gaza ceasefire talks.
Israeli officials have acknowledged that more than 10 fighter jets were used in the attack.
Here’s how some key figures around the world are reacting to the news:
- Qatar weighs in: At a news conference today, Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani was visibly angry as he described the attack. The prime minister later affirmed that his country’s tradition of diplomacy “won’t be deterred,” although he did imply that current talks on Gaza have an uncertain path. Also, Qatari foreign ministry spokesperson Majed Al Ansari denied receiving prior notification of the strike, calling reports that suggested otherwise “baseless.”
- US response: Earlier today, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the strike “does not advance Israel or America’s goals,” but stopped short of condemning the actions. And later, seeking to further distance himself from the attack, US President Donald Trump posted an addendum, specifying the decision to strike was made by Israel’s leader and that the US learned of it too late to intervene. The president’s office also said Trump expressed his solidarity with Qatar during a phone call with Al-Thani.
- Word out of Israel: Israeli Prime Minister Benajmin Netanyahu portrayed the attack as a peacemaking action. In remarks at the US Embassy, he said that Israel has “accepted” the US’ latest proposed principles for a ceasefire. In an earlier statement, the prime minister’s office said the strike was “a wholly independent Israeli operation.”
CNN’s Tori B. Powell, Max Saltman, Sarah El Sirgany, Kevin Liptak, Mostafa Salem, Mohammed Tawfeeq, Paula Newton, Dana Karni and Billy Stockwell contributed reporting.
Qatar's diplomacy "won’t be deterred" after Israeli attack, prime minister says
Qatar’s prime minister said that his country’s tradition of diplomacy “won’t be deterred” in the wake of Israel’s attack in Doha, but implied that current talks on Gaza have an uncertain path.
The prime minister, however, acknowledged that the attack has changed the landscape of current ceasefire talks, saying he doesn’t think “there is something valid right now after we’ve seen such an attack happening like this.”
Al-Thani denounced Israel’s strike in blistering terms, calling Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a “narcissistic” and the Israeli attack “treacherous.”
“This attack and this targeting has surpassed not just international law but moral standards,” Al-Thani said. “We are talking about a meditator country hosting official meditations attended by delegations from the same country that sent these missiles. Under what moral standards is this acceptable?”
Al-Thani said that Qatar “reserves the right to respond” to the attack, which killed a Qatari security official and five Hamas members, but did not kill Israel’s targets. He said his country has “formed a legal team” and will fully review the incident “to ensure such actions are deterred and not repeated.”
Trump says Israel's strike in Qatar was "not a decision made by me"
President Donald Trump sought to further distance himself from Israel’s attack in Qatar, posting an addendum to an earlier statement from the White House that specified the decision was made by Israel’s leader and that the US learned of it too late to intervene.
Trump added that by the time his administration learned of the attack and told the Qataris, there was little he could do to stop it.
The president also said he directed Secretary of State Marco Rubio to finalize a defense cooperation agreement with Qatar, though the two countries have an existing pact that Trump amended when he visited Qatar in May.
Trump expressed his solidarity with Qatar, emir's office says
US President Donald Trump expressed his solidarity with Qatar following the Israeli attack on Doha during a phone call with Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, according to his office.
Trump also “stressed that the State of Qatar is a trusted strategic ally of the United States of America, calling on His Highness the Amir to continue Qatar’s mediation efforts to end the war in the Gaza Strip,” the statement said.
Trump affirmed that Qatar’s role “is a key factor in establishing peace in the region,” the statement added.
Remember: Earlier in the day, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said attacking inside Qatar “does not advance Israel or America’s goals.” In Trump’s conversation with the Qataris, the US president “assured them that such a thing will not happen again on their soil,” Leavitt said.
Israel’s attack "directly imperil" peace efforts and security in region, Canadian prime minister says
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said that Israel’s attack on Doha “directly imperil” efforts to advance peace and security in the region.
Visibly angry Qatari prime minister describes Israel's attack on Doha as "state terrorism"
Qatar’s prime minister was visibly angry as he described Israel’s attack on Doha at a news conference today.
“This attack … we can only describe it as a state terrorism,” Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani said. “This is a message to the entire region: that there is rogue player in the region.”
The prime minister added that the US contacted Qatar 10 minutes after the attack occurred, and that Israel used weapons that went undetected by radar.
Israeli officials have acknowledged that more than 10 fighter jets were used in the attack. Israel has stealth US-made F-35I fighter jets that are capable of avoiding radar detection and were used to penetrate Tehran’s air defenses during Israel’s strikes on Iran in June.
In note to families, Israeli hostage coordinator defends Doha strike
In a note to hostage families this evening, the Israeli coordinator for hostage affairs defended the strikes in Doha targeting Hamas leaders.
Gal Hirsch said Israel was monitoring “every detail” about the hostages, “especially in light of the developments of the past few hours.”
Last week, the Hostages and Missing Families Forum said it wa briefed that the Israeli military did not have precise information on where the hostages are being held.
Hirsch accused the Hamas leaders in Qatar of having “disrupted the path toward a deal, violated understandings, and created numerous hurdles and obstacles.”
After the strike: The family members were followed developments in Doha “with deep concern and heavy anxiety” after the attack, the Hostages and Missing Families Forum said in a statement earlier today.
Ilay David, the brother of Israeli hostage Evyatar David, said he was worried about the fate of the remaining captives. The mother of another hostage said she was scared the strike could be her son’s death sentence.
Israel's strikes targeted Hamas leaders living in a residential neighborhood in Doha
Israel’s strike in Doha targeted residential buildings housing several members of the Hamas political bureau, a spokesperson from Qatar’s foreign ministry said.
CNN executive producer Andrew Potter, who lives in Doha, said that the attack happened in the upscale residential area of the sought-after West Bay Lagoon, which is outside of downtown. He noted that it’s a mostly residential area that “is home to many families, many of them expatriate families living there.”
Here’s a map of the area Israel targeted:
Strike in Doha involved more than 10 fighter jets and 10 munitions, Israeli official says
The Israeli strike in Doha targeting senior Hamas leaders involved more than 10 fighter jets which fired more than 10 munitions, according to an Israeli official.
The jets required mid-air refueling for the long-range strike, the official said, and they all struck a single target in the Qatari capital.
The operation was “months in the making,” two Israeli sources told CNN, but the planning was accelerated in recent weeks.
Qatar’s foreign ministry spokesperson said the strike targeted residential buildings housing several members of the Hamas political bureau.
Qatar says it was not informed of Doha strike in advance
Qatar has denied receiving prior notification of the Israeli strike on Doha, calling reports that suggested otherwise “baseless.”
“The communication received from one of the American officials came during the sound of explosions resulting from the Israeli attack in Doha,” Al Ansari added.
Israel's strike on Qatar puts Gaza’s only peace talks at risk, analyst says
Qatar is one of only two regional mediators leading the sole diplomatic track trying to bring an end to the war in Gaza and the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas in the enclave.
The country, which has strategically positioned itself as an essential back-channel mediator for global US security issues like Iran and Afghanistan, has hosted countless rounds of negotiations between Hamas and Israel, solidifying its role as a key diplomatic player in regional conflict resolution.
Qatar hosts thousands of US troops at Al Udeid, the Middle East’s largest American military base, while also allowing Hamas’ political bureau to operate in Doha, which Qatar maintains was established at Washington’s request a decade ago to facilitate indirect communication channels.
The strike on Qatar today is the first publicly acknowledged strike on a Gulf state by Israel, placing the only diplomatic path working toward a Gaza ceasefire at risk and placing greater concern from Gulf Arab states over security commitments from the US, an analyst told CNN.
Further complicating the situation is whether the US had prior approval or knowledge of Israel’s strike.
“Whether the US provided tacit approval or active facilitation … this could have potentially far-reaching repercussions on the national security calculus of the Gulf Arab states, and their relationship with the US,” AlHasan said.
It comes as Israel earlier ordered a complete evacuation of Gaza City, home to around a million Palestinians, ahead of its controversial military takeover.
US lawmakers weigh in on Israel's strike today in Doha
US House Speaker Mike Johnson said that he would be briefed later today on Israel’s strike against Hamas leadership in Qatar.
Johnson was unaware of the strike when asked about it during a news conference earlier today. He said that Hamas “has to be eradicated” but he would reserve judgment before talking about the Doha strike.
Other US lawmakers are also weighing in. Here’s what some of them said:
- Senate Majority Leader John Thune said he was not sure if lawmakers will get a formal briefing on the situation but said “certainly we’ll get an informal one.”
- Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer he is “concerned” about the Israeli strike and that he has requested a classified briefing. The Democratic leader would not say whether Israel’s actions in Gaza constitute a genocide, though he did say that the US should be doing “much more” to provide aid to the enclave.
- Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham told CNN that Hamas “suffered a mighty blow” following the strike. The comments came after Graham spoke by phone with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and met in person with Ron Dermer, Israel’s minister for strategic affairs.
- Republican Sen. Eric Schmitt said Israel has the right to go after Hamas: “Israel is taking out the leaders of a terrorist organization. They’ve got a right to do that.”
- Two Democrats on the Senate Intelligence Committee expressed concern about the impact the strike. Sen. Mark Warner said it’s an indication that Israel has “no interest in any kind of ceasefire.” Sen. Mark Kelly said the strikes were “an incredibly aggressive maneuver by the Israeli government.”
The headline and post have been updated with comments from Sens. Mark Warner and Mark Kelly.
What we know so far about the Israeli strike on Hamas leadership in Qatar
Israel launched an attack today targeting Hamas leadership in Qatar.
The unprecedented strike on a key mediator in the Gaza conflict has threatened to derail renewed peace efforts and further inflame tensions in the region.
Here’s what we know so far:
- At least 5 dead: Hamas said the strike killed five of its members but did not assassinate the negotiating delegation. Qatar and Hamas both said that a Qatari security official died in the strike as well. Hamas said it holds “the US administration jointly responsible.”
- Extensive planning: The attack was “months in the making,” according to two Israeli sources, but was accelerated in recent weeks. It targeted residential buildings housing several members of the Hamas political bureau in Doha, Qatar’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Majed Al Ansari said. The spokesperson called the attack a “criminal assault” that constitutes a “blatant violation of international laws and norms.”
- On the ground: CNN executive producer Andrew Potter, who lives in Doha said that he heard a series of “muffled explosions” that rattled the windows of his apartment. Social media footage geolocated by CNN shows people frantically running away as smoke rises in the background.
- Status of ceasefire talks: Qatar has been a key mediator in ceasefire talks, maintaining direct channels with the US, Israel and Hamas. A top Qatari diplomat, Hamad Al-Muftah, said the strike was “clearly designed to undermine the peace negotiations” in the enclave. It comes as Israel has ordered a complete evacuation of Gaza City.
- Israeli reaction: Israeli Prime Minister Benajmin Netanyahu portrayed the attack as a peacemaking action. In remarks at the US Embassy, he said that Israel has “accepted” the US’ latest proposed principles for a ceasefire. In an earlier statement, the prime minister’s office said the strike was “a wholly independent Israeli operation.”
- US knowledge: White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the administration was notified of the attack and President Donald Trump spoke to Netanyahu and Qataris after the strike. She said the strike “does not advance Israel or America’s goals,” but stopped short of condemning the actions.
- Other leaders: Antonio Guterres, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, condemned the attack, as did several European leaders. Numerous Arab countries also warned such attacks could undermine regional security. President Hussein Al Sheikh said the strike “constitutes a serious violation of international law and Qatar’s sovereignty.”
Israeli strike in Qatar runs counter to Trump's objectives in region, White House says
The White House described Israel’s strike in Qatar as counter to President Donald Trump’s goal of achieving peace in Gaza.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the site of today’s attack, in a residential neighborhood in the Qatari capital Doha, was “unfortunate.”
Still, Leavitt’s carefully worded statement made clear that “eliminating Hamas” was a “worthy goal,” and stopped short of condemning Israel’s actions.
She said Trump had spoken to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu following the attack, along with the emir and prime minister of Qatar.
Netanyahu “told President Trump that he wants to make peace and quickly, President Trump believes this unfortunate incident could serve as an opportunity for peace,” Leavitt said.
Hamas says Israeli attack killed 5 but failed to assassinate negotiating delegation
Hamas said that an Israeli strike in Doha killed five members but did not assassinate the negotiating delegation.
“We affirm the enemy’s failure to assassinate the brothers in the negotiating delegation,” the militant group said in a statement, adding that five of its members were killed in the strike.
One of the main targets of the strike was Hamas’ chief negotiator Khalil Al-Hayya, but he was not listed among the dead. According to Hamas, Al-Hayya’s son and the director of his office were killed in the strike.
Qatar and Hamas both said that a Qatari security official died in the strike as well.
“We hold the US administration jointly responsible with the occupation for this crime due to its continued support for the aggression and the crimes of the occupation against our people,” it added.
The US had sent Hamas “some ideas” regarding a ceasefire, the militant group said Sunday. Two Israeli security sources told CNN that the ideas included a release of all hostages held in Gaza and the start of negotiations for a comprehensive end to the war.
Hamas said that the strike would not change its demands for a ceasefire deal: “an immediate halt to the aggression against our people, the complete withdrawal of the occupying army from the Gaza Strip, a genuine prisoner exchange, humanitarian relief for our people, and reconstruction efforts.”
