Senior Hamas Figures Reportedly Killed in Israeli Strike on Doha.
Palestinian journalist Musa al-Najjar, currently in Egypt, released the names of four Hamas members killed in the Israeli strike on Doha: Himam al-Hayya, son of Hamas leader in Gaza Khalil al-Hayya; Muaman Hasoun; Abdallah Awag al-Wahad (“Abu Khalil”); and Ahmad Abd al-Malik (“Abu Malik”). Al-Najjar also claimed that Khalil al-Hayya’s personal aide was among the dead, though his name has not been released.
Hamas politburo member Suhail al-Hindi confirmed to Al Arabiya that Himam al-Hayya was killed, along with Jihad Labad, who headed the elder al-Hayya’s office. Hamas’s media arm, the “Palestinian Information Center,” corroborated the reports.
Al-Najjar himself is a controversial figure. On October 7, 2023, he streamed live from Kibbutz Nir Oz alongside Hamas gunmen, capturing the kidnapping of Shiri Bibas and her sons, Kfir and Ariel. Days later, his home in Gaza was targeted in an Israeli airstrike, but he survived. He later escaped Gaza through the Rafah crossing and has since been in Egypt.
U.S. and Israeli Coordination
According to the Wall Street Journal, Israel notified Washington in advance of the planned operation in Doha. The U.S. in turn alerted Qatar. Reuters, citing an Israeli official, reported that then-President Donald Trump had given Israel a “green light” for the strike.
Israeli broadcaster Kan Bet said Israeli intelligence believes six senior Hamas leaders were eliminated, though no official confirmation has been issued.
Behind the Timing
Israeli security sources told local media that contrary to official statements, the strike was not directly triggered by yesterday’s attacks in Jerusalem and Gaza. Instead, the operation was expedited in recent weeks after intelligence revealed a rare gathering of senior Hamas negotiators in Doha.
Security officials suggested the meeting was linked to a U.S. proposal under discussion, raising the possibility that the American offer itself may have been a ruse to bring Hamas leaders together.
Heightened Secrecy
Officials added that Hamas leaders abroad operate under heavy security constraints, even in Qatar. Their caution has grown since Israel’s “Lion’s Dawn” operation in Iran, after which Hamas operatives tightened their precautions significantly.
Casualties in Qatar
Qatar’s Interior Ministry confirmed that one officer of the Qatari Internal Security Forces was killed during the strike, and several others were wounded.
Israeli Statement
A senior Israeli security official hailed the operation, dubbed Operation Peak of Fire, as a “brilliant and powerful” action carried out by the IDF and Shin Bet on orders from the prime minister and defense minister.
“This marks a significant step toward defeating Hamas, delivering justice for October 7, and strengthening Israel’s deterrence,” the official said. “It may also pave the way toward ending the Gaza war on Israel’s terms — the release of all hostages and the disarmament of Hamas.”
The official added that the strike was also meant as a signal to Gazans that Hamas has been weakened and that “the time has come to rise up and bring the war to an end.”
