Jerusalem, 9 September, 2025 (TPS-IL) — In his first comments on the airstrikes in Qatar, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the operation was fully responsible.
“Today’s action against the top terrorist chieftains of Hamas was a wholly independent Israeli operation,” Netanyahu said in a statement. “Israel initiated it, Israel conducted it, and Israel takes full responsibility.”
There were conflicting Arab reports on the fate of Hamas leaders, who were meeting in Doha, Qatar’s capital.
Top leaders who may have been killed were khalil al-hayya, who replaced Ismail Haniyeh as Hamas’ chief negotiator; Khaled Mashaal former head of Hamas’ politburo; Zahar Jabarin, who financed the October 7 attack; Musa Abu Marzouk, a senior member of the terror group’s politburo; and Muhammed Darwish, who chaired Hamas’ Shura Council. Hamas has not commented on the fate of its leaders.
They were reportedly meeting to discuss U.S. President Donald Trump’s latest proposal to end the fighting.
Neither the U.S. nor Israel has officially disclosed the full details of the White House’s proposal. It is believed to call for the immediate release of hostages at once, the freezing of Israel’s expected offensive into Gaza City, and the start of negotiations for a comprehensive end to the Israel-Hamas conflict. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar signaled Jerusalem’s first public acceptance of the White House proposal.
Two days ago, U.S. President Donald Trump wrote on his Truth Social account, “I have warned Hamas about the consequences of not accepting,” adding, “This is my last warning, there will not be another one!”
Opposition MK Benny Gantz, a former IDF Chief of Staff, praised the strike.
“We must pursue Hamas terrorists and their leaders everywhere and at all times,” Gantz tweeted. “I commend the political echelon for the decision to carry out the targeted killing and the IDF, Shin Bet, and all security forces for executing the operation. The most important thing now: not to miss opportunities. Leverage the achievements of our fighters to bring back all the hostages and replace Hamas rule in Gaza.”
Approximately 1,200 people were killed, and 252 Israelis and foreigners were taken hostage in Hamas’s attacks on Israeli communities near the Gaza border on October 7. Of the 48 remaining hostages, about 20 are believed to be alive.
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