Israel Estimates Six Hamas Leaders Killed in Doha Strike

Israel believes that six senior Hamas figures were killed in a precise military strike on a building in Doha, Qatar, on Tuesday. A security source, speaking to Israeli media, stated that the assessment is based on intelligence gathered after the operation, with final verification still pending. The strike, which targeted a high-level meeting of Hamas leadership, was a meticulously planned operation involving 15 Israeli fighter jets that dropped more than 10 munitions within seconds of each other. According to reports, the long-range mission required aerial refueling en route to the Qatari capital.
The military details of the operation highlight its complexity and scale. The use of a large number of fighter jets and multiple munitions at a single target is a clear sign that Israel’s objective was not only to kill key Hamas leaders but to ensure their complete elimination. The involvement of the Israeli Air Force and the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) in the planning and execution underscores the seriousness of the operation. Israel’s UN envoy, Gilad Erdan, stated that the strike was a message that “there is no hiding place for terrorists, we will continue to pursue them everywhere.”
The strike has already triggered a major diplomatic crisis. Qatar has suspended its mediation efforts, and Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have issued strong condemnations, with the Saudi Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Salman, offering to deploy all capabilities to support Qatar. A senior Israeli official told Axios that the “entire ‘Hamas A-list'” was in the targeted building, a list that reportedly includes key figures such as Khalil al-Hayya and Zaher Jabarin. However, two Hamas sources told Reuters that the negotiating team survived the attack, creating a conflicting narrative.
For Israel, the strike on a sovereign nation that is a U.S. ally and a key mediator is a significant escalation. It shows a willingness to expand the battlefield to achieve its objectives, regardless of the diplomatic consequences. The strike also provides a crucial test for the U.S. and its relationship with its Gulf allies. While a senior White House official told Axios that the Trump administration was briefed by Israel shortly before the strike, the public outcry from Arab nations has put the U.S. in a difficult position. The military details of the operation, from the number of jets to the use of aerial refueling, confirm that this was a major and long-planned mission.