Hamas delegation survives Israeli assassination attempt in Qatar
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Israeli airstrikes hit Doha, targeting Hamas negotiators as the group reaffirms its commitment to a ceasefire and prisoner exchange deal.
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The damaged building in the Katara neighborhood, Doha, Qatar, September 9, 2025 (Social media)
In a statement, the Israeli occupation military, in coordination with its internal security agency, Shin Bet, announced that it carried out an airstrike on the Qatari capital, Doha, claiming to target the senior leadership of the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas.
Israeli Channel 12, citing military sources, reported that the strikes targeted members of the Hamas negotiating delegation while they were discussing the latest US-mediated proposal in Doha.
However, a senior Hamas source told Al Mayadeen that the movement’s negotiating delegation survived the Israeli assassination attempt in Doha.
Reuters correspondents confirmed hearing loud explosions in the Qatari capital, noting plumes of smoke rising over the Katara district.
Palestinian Resistance Affairs expert Hani al-Dali told Al Mayadeen that the senior leadership survived the attempt. He stressed that the assassination attempt failed despite Israeli-US coordination.
"The strike on Doha proves that the aim is for the talks to be part of the war effort in Gaza," al-Dali added.
Footage shows plumes of smoke rising from the Qatari capital, Doha.
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) September 9, 2025
Axios claimed that the explosions are a result of an assassination attempt against the Hamas negotiating delegation, citing an Israeli official.#BreakingNews #Qatar #Doha #Hamas pic.twitter.com/brWPMOhnNT
This brazen Israeli strike on Hamas’ negotiating delegation in Doha exposes once again the pattern of aggression that has defined Israeli and American conduct, using violence at the very moment when talks for peace are on the table. Just as Washington and Tel Aviv undermined dialogue before they attacked Iran in June, they now repeat the same tactic against the Palestinian resistance, targeting representatives engaged in negotiations.
Far from seeking peace, such actions demonstrate a deliberate sabotage of negotiations and reveal that only Palestinians show a genuine commitment to ending the war, while the Israeli occupation regime and the US weaponize diplomacy as cover for escalation.
'US greenlit attack'
Israeli Channel 12 reported, citing an Israeli official, that US President Donald Trump gave the green light for the Israeli occupation to launch airstrikes on Hamas leadership in Qatar. The channel added that Washington maintains control over Qatari airspace, requiring “Israel” to coordinate with the US before carrying out such operations.
In an official statement, the Qatari Foreign Ministry condemned what it described as a “cowardly Israeli attack” targeting residential compounds in Doha where members of Hamas’ political bureau were residing. The ministry stressed that Qatar would not tolerate any act undermining its security and sovereignty.
Reuters reported that the US Embassy in Doha issued a directive advising American citizens to remain indoors and avoid unnecessary movement following the strikes.
Hamas reaffirms commitment to ceasefire proposals
The development comes as Hamas reiterated its commitment, alongside other Palestinian factions, to the ceasefire framework put forward by mediators on August 18.
In a statement, Hamas emphasized its openness to “any ideas or proposals” that would secure a permanent ceasefire, guarantee the full withdrawal of occupation forces from Gaza, ensure the unconditional entry of humanitarian aid, and achieve a genuine prisoner exchange through serious negotiations brokered by mediators.
US President Donald Trump announced Sunday evening on his Truth Social account that “the Israelis have accepted my terms. It is time for Hamas to accept as well.”
In his post, Trump wrote: “Everyone wants the hostages home. Everyone wants this war to end! The Israelis have accepted my Terms. It is time for Hamas to accept as well. I have warned Hamas about the consequences of not accepting. This is my last warning, there will not be another one!”
According to Israeli Channel 12, Trump conveyed a new proposal through his envoy Steve Witkoff, bypassing the usual mediators Qatar and Egypt. The reported plan includes the release of all Israeli captives, both living and deceased, on the first day of the deal in exchange for the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners serving long sentences.
Hamas says received US proposal
The Islamic Resistance Movement in Palestine, Hamas, confirmed Sunday evening that it has received new American ideas through mediators aimed at reaching a ceasefire agreement in Gaza.
In a statement, Hamas said it welcomes any real initiative that contributes to ending the ongoing aggression against the Palestinian people.
Hamas expressed its readiness to immediately join negotiations to reach a comprehensive deal that would include:
- The release of all prisoners on both sides
- A clear declaration of an end to the war
- A complete Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip
- The creation of a Palestinian independent committee to administer Gaza, to begin work immediately
The movement also demanded clear guarantees to ensure that "Israel" abides by any commitments, citing past agreements that were repudiated.
Hamas noted that it had already approved a mediator-brokered US proposal in Cairo on August 18, 2025, but "Israel" failed to respond and instead escalated its massacres and ethnic cleansing policy.
