Israel’s military targeted senior Hamas leadership in Qatar with an airstrike on Tuesday.
“The IDF and ISA [Shin Bet] executed a targeted operation against the senior leadership of the Hamas terrorist organization,” the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated.
Khalil al-Hayya and Zaher Jabarin were the intended targets of these Israeli airstrikes, as reported by Fox News chief foreign correspondent Trey Yingst on Tuesday. Israeli authorities informed Fox News Digital that the United States received prior notification of the operation.
CCTV footage also appeared to capture the explosions in Doha.
“For years, these leaders have directed Hamas’ operations, sharing direct responsibility for the horrific October 7 attack, and have actively managed the ongoing conflict with Israel. Before the strike, efforts were made to minimize civilian casualties, including using precision weapons and additional intelligence,” the IDF continued.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is observed at the Shin Bet Special Operations Command Center while the operations were underway in Qatar on Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2025. (Shin Bet Communications)
Al-Hayya had recently been engaged in discussions for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and the release of hostages held by Hamas.
Zaher Jabarin oversees Hamas’ finances and plays a significant role in the terrorist group’s West Bank activities. He reportedly also participated in these negotiations, though his involvement was less prominent.
“Today’s action against the top terrorist chieftains of Hamas was a wholly independent Israeli operation,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said. “Israel initiated it, Israel conducted it, and Israel takes full responsibility.”
Smoke is seen billowing after explosions in Doha’s capital of Qatar on Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2025. (Jacqueline Penny/AFPTV/AFP via Getty Images)
The U.S. Embassy in Qatar issued a temporary “shelter-in-place order” in the wake of the strikes. It later lifted the warning.
Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations Danny Danon said on X, “I commend our security forces for this courageous and precise operation.”
“There is no hiding place for terrorists, and we will continue to pursue them everywhere,” he added.
The explosions were reported in the Katara area of Doha, Qatar. (Fox News)
Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Ministry said it “condemns and denounces, in the strongest possible terms, the brutal Israeli aggression and the blatant violation of the sovereignty of the State of Qatar.
France’s President Emmanuel Macron called Israel’s airstrikes, “unacceptable, whatever the reason.” British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he condemned “Israel’s strikes on Doha, which violate Qatar’s sovereignty and risk further escalation across the region.”
