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| Mourners carry the bodies of the people killed by an Israeli attack in Doha during a funeral at the Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdul Wahhab Mosque in Doha, Qatar, September 11. — Reuters |
Hamas has strongly accused the United States of being an accomplice in Israel’s deadly attack in Qatar, where negotiators were targeted during ongoing Gaza truce talks. The incident, which shook the Gulf region, has escalated tensions in the Gaza conflict and raised questions about the future of mediation efforts.
Israel’s Strike in Qatar Halts Ceasefire Negotiations
On Tuesday, an unprecedented Israeli strike in Qatar disrupted already fragile ceasefire talks aimed at halting the ongoing war in Gaza. The attack killed several Hamas members and a Qatari soldier, casting doubt on the negotiation process.
Hamas spokesperson Fawzi Barhoum condemned the incident, calling it “an assassination of the negotiation process and a deliberate targeting of Qatar and Egypt’s mediation role.”
Funerals Held in Doha After the Attack
In Doha, tight security surrounded the mosque where funerals were held for the victims. Qatar’s Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, attended the funeral prayers, joining mourners dressed in traditional attire and military uniforms. Coffins draped in both Qatari and Palestinian flags were carried inside before burial at Mesaimeer Cemetery.
Security forces increased checkpoints and tightened measures near the mosque, reflecting the sensitivity of the incident.
Hamas Claims US Complicity, Washington Responds
Barhoum accused Washington of being a “full accomplice” in the Israeli attack. The White House, however, distanced itself, saying that former President Donald Trump did not approve or authorize the strike. Officials stated that the US envoy warned Qatar only after the assault had already begun.
Despite Israel’s claim that Hamas leaders were the target, the group confirmed that several senior members survived. Among the dead were the son of top negotiator Khalil al-Hayya, his office director, and multiple bodyguards. A Qatari soldier, Badr Saad Mohammed al-Humaidi al-Dosari, was also killed.
Regional and Global Reactions
The Qatari Prime Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, said the strike jeopardized all chances of negotiating for the release of hostages in Gaza. He stressed that Doha is “reassessing everything” regarding its role as a mediator.
Qatar, which has hosted Hamas’s political office since 2012, has been a key player in past ceasefire talks between Hamas and Israel. The latest strike, however, has intensified calls for a regional and Islamic summit in Doha to coordinate a collective response.
Neighboring Gulf countries expressed solidarity with Qatar. The United Arab Emirates warned that any aggression against a Gulf state threatens regional security. Meanwhile, the United Nations Security Council condemned the strike and emphasized respect for Qatar’s sovereignty, though it did not directly name Israel.
Impact on the Gaza Conflict
The attack in Qatar has worsened the already devastating Gaza conflict, with Hamas declaring that the strike undermines prospects for peace and fuels more violence. Analysts warn that without meaningful international intervention, hopes of a truce may vanish.
This is not the first high-profile assassination linked to Israel. In July 2024, former Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh was killed in Iran, a strike widely attributed to Israel, further escalating the war in Gaza.