Israel's Qatar Airstrikes Spark Regional Tensions

The article discusses Israel's recent airstrikes on Doha, Qatar, targeting Hamas leaders, which has shocked the Gulf region. Israel has been expanding its military operations against Hamas across the Middle East since the October 7th, 2023, massacre. Despite Qatar being a close American ally and a venue for ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas, Israel chose to attack Hamas leaders there. This move has significant implications for the region, potentially escalating the conflict further.

The Economist's Middle East & Africa section covers various regional issues, including Israel's airstrikes on Doha, Ethiopia's new mega-dam, Iraq's population boom, and the rise of skyscrapers in Africa. It also discusses Iran's nuclear dilemma, Israel's settler movement, and Syria's prison architecture. Additionally, it touches on Egypt's role in Gaza, African politics, and the Wagner Group's meltdown in Mali. The articles highlight the complexities and challenges facing the region, including conflict, politics, and economic development.

The article discusses how Hamas's senior leaders have been leaving their villas in Doha, Qatar, and relocating to Turkey due to Qatar's cooling relations with the group after the collapse of US- and Qatar-mediated talks with Israel in August. The move is seen as a minor issue for Hamas compared to its other problems. The article provides context on the changing dynamics between Hamas, Qatar, and Turkey, and touches on the broader regional issues.

The article reports on Israel's attack against Hamas leadership in Doha, Qatar. Explosions were heard in Doha after Israel carried out the attack, which targeted Hamas negotiators. This appears to be the first time Israel has launched an operation in Qatar. The article also mentions that a senior Hamas official confirmed the group's negotiators were targeted. The attack is part of the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas.

The Israeli military conducted a precise airstrike targeting senior Hamas leaders in Doha, Qatar, on September 9, 2025. The strike targeted Khalil al-Hayya and Zaher Jabarin, who were involved in ceasefire talks and hostage negotiations. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) stated that the strike was designed to defeat the Hamas terrorist organization responsible for the October 7 massacre. Qatar's Foreign Ministry condemned the attack, calling it a 'cowardly Israeli attack' and a 'flagrant violation of all international laws and norms.' The US was informed in advance of the strikes, and the US Embassy in Qatar issued a temporary 'shelter-in-place order' before lifting it. The international community, including Saudi Arabia, France, and the UK, condemned Israel's actions, citing violations of Qatar's sovereignty and potential escalation in the region.

The article discusses how the recent Israeli air strikes on Qatar have caused the Gulf Arab monarchies to re-evaluate their security guarantees with the United States. Qatar's Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani called for a collective regional response to the strikes, which were not prevented by the US despite having a major military base in the country. The incident has exposed a deepening rift between Qatar and Washington, and raised questions about the reliability of US security guarantees in the region.