Hamas Sources Confirm Leaders Injured in Israeli Attack

In a major development following the recent Israeli strike on Doha, Hamas sources have confirmed to the pan-Arab newspaper Asharq Al-Awsat that several senior leaders from the group’s political bureau were injured in the attack. The sources, speaking on condition of anonymity, revealed that one of the officials is in a “critical condition” and is receiving treatment in a private hospital under a heavy security guard. The confirmation of injuries among the top leadership provides the first concrete details about the human cost of an operation that has been the subject of conflicting reports.
The strike, which occurred on Tuesday, September 9, targeted a private compound in the al-Qatifia area of the Qatari capital, a known location for Hamas leaders and their families. The raid resulted in the deaths of six people: five Palestinians and one Qatari security officer. The Palestinian fatalities included Homam al-Hayya, the son of Hamas’s Gaza leader Khalil al-Hayya, his office director Jihad Labad, and three escorts. According to the sources, the compound contained homes and offices belonging to Hamas officials, and the attack was centered on a villa belonging to Khalil al-Hayya and an adjacent office that formerly belonged to the late Hamas chief, Ismail Haniyeh.
The sources provided a rare glimpse into the high-stakes security protocols of Hamas leaders. They speculated that the reason more senior leaders were not killed in the attack was that they had left their mobile phones with their escorts. “The custom is that at every meeting, none of the political bureau leaders carry mobile phones, which are left in their vehicles or with escorts,” a source told the newspaper. This security measure would explain the high number of deaths among the escorts and highlights the group’s awareness of the threat of electronic surveillance. The sources also confirmed that some of the leaders attending the meeting had flown in from other countries, including Turkey and Egypt.
In a stunning accusation, the Hamas sources told Asharq Al-Awsat that they believe the United States was a “partner” in a “scam” to gather the leaders in one place to assassinate them. The sources stated that communication channels with U.S. and Israeli mediators were active in the days leading up to the attack. They alleged that the ongoing dialogue over a ceasefire and hostage deal, combined with the presence of international mediators, was a deliberate ruse to create a sense of security and lure Hamas’s leadership into a single location. This allegation, though unverified, adds a new and dangerous dimension to the diplomatic crisis.
Despite the attempted assassination, the sources were unanimous on one point: there is a consensus within Hamas to “complete negotiations” in a way that “is in line with the Palestinian people’s demands, including a complete ceasefire and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.” The sources indicated that communication with mediators would resume in the coming days once the security situation stabilizes and that internal consultations were underway to decide on a safe way to manage the negotiations. The fact that the group is still willing to engage in talks despite the attack suggests that the U.S.-led diplomatic efforts are not completely dead.
The news that Hamas leaders were injured in the strike, and that some died, adds a new layer of complexity to the already tense situation. The incident not only highlights the continued threat to Hamas’s leadership but also the willingness of Israel to take its fight directly into a key U.S. ally’s territory.