Israel Strikes in Qatar, Five Hamas Members Killed; Top Leaders Survive

Sept 2025 : Israel reportedly carried out an airstrike in Qatar targeting senior Hamas figures, with the group confirming that five of its members and a Qatari officer were killed, though top leaders are said to have survived, according to Al Jazeera. Hamas stated the attack was aimed at Khalil al-Hayya, a senior leader who gained prominence following the assassinations of Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, Yahya Sinwar in Gaza, and military commander Mohammed Deif last year. Al-Hayya is now one of the five members steering Hamas’s leadership council.

Another potential target was Zaher Jabarin, Hamas’s chief financial administrator, who has long been under Israeli scrutiny for managing the group’s funding networks. Hamas identified those killed in the strike as Jihad Labad, director of al-Hayya’s office; Humam al-Hayya, Khalil al-Hayya’s son; and three bodyguards—Abdullah Abdul Wahid, Moamen Hassouna, and Ahmed al-Mamluk.

Despite the fatalities, Hamas confirmed that its senior leaders survived the strike. Israel has not publicly disclosed the identities of the individuals it targeted or commented on the operation. The attack underscores ongoing tensions in the region and highlights Israel’s continued focus on neutralizing high-ranking figures within Hamas.