Doha, Qatar – September 9, 2025 Explosions struck the Qatari capital on Tuesday, targeting members of the Hamas delegation as they met to discuss the latest U.S.-backed ceasefire proposal, according to multiple regional reports.
The delegation, which has been based in Doha for several months, was holding internal discussions on Washington’s plan aimed at halting the nearly two-year war in Gaza and securing a hostage exchange. Israeli forces are believed to have been behind the strike, Axios reported, citing intelligence sources.
Details about casualties remain unclear. Neither Qatar nor Hamas has released an official statement, though sources familiar with the talks told reporters that the attack was intended to kill senior Hamas officials.
The incident marks a dramatic escalation in Israel’s campaign, extending the battlefield into the very space where delicate negotiations were underway. Analysts say the attack risks derailing what many saw as one of the most serious opportunities for progress in months.
Qatar, alongside Egypt and the United States, has been mediating indirect talks between Israel and Hamas since early 2024. The U.S. proposal currently on the table reportedly includes a phased ceasefire, the gradual release of hostages, and limited entry of aid into the besieged Gaza Strip.
At the United Nations Security Council last week, diplomats raised concerns that Israel might move to fully occupy Gaza. UN Assistant Secretary-General Miroslav Jenca warned that such a move could have “catastrophic consequences.”
Tuesday’s attack adds another layer of uncertainty. “If negotiations themselves are not safe from the war, it is hard to imagine how trust or progress can be built,” one regional analyst told reporters.
The situation remains fluid, with both Qatari authorities and international mediators expected to issue responses in the coming hours.
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