Israeli airstrike in Doha that targeted Hamas leaders has not shifted the group’s demands for ending the war in Gaza, according to key members. The strike came during a ceasefire negotiation process facilitated by Qatar, but Hamas insists its existing conditions remain unchanged.
What Happened
Earlier this week, an airstrike struck a compound in Doha, Qatar, where Hamas political figures were reportedly meeting. The group says the attack killed five members, including the son of senior negotiator Khalil al-Hayya. Israeli sources assert the strike aimed at the Hamas leadership, though the group maintains its top officials survived. The meeting in which they were struck was said to be in response to a ceasefire proposal put forward just a day before.
Hamas’ Response & Ceasefire Conditions
Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoum rejected any suggestion that the strike would force changes to its negotiating stance. He said that at the moment of the attack, the group was still considering a response to the proposal. The group reaffirmed several non-negotiable demands: a full and immediate ceasefire, Israeli military withdrawal from Gaza, a genuine prisoner-for-hostage exchange, effective humanitarian aid delivery, and reconstruction efforts. These remain central to their position in the ongoing conflict.
Israel’s Position & Diplomatic Fallout
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government has meanwhile pushed a more uncompromising stance—one that demands Hamas’s surrender or full capitulation alongside the release of all hostages. For Israel, the Doha strike underscored a message that Hamas’s leadership remains a target, regardless of it being spatially removed or under diplomatic protection.
The airstrike has prompted diplomatic outcry. Regional powers and international actors expressed concern that such unilateral military action could undermine the negotiation process and escalate tensions. Qatar, in particular, has positioned itself as a mediator in the conflict and condemned the strike, calling it a violation of sovereignty.
What This Means Going Forward
The Doha strike has not destroyed hopes for diplomacy, but it has added strain. With Hamas maintaining its refusal to compromise on its terms, and Israel demanding complete compliance, a deadlock seems increasingly likely unless either side shifts its goals. Ceasefire talks, hostage negotiations, and humanitarian access continue being closely monitored by states involved and international organizations.
As things stand, the conditions set by Hamas remain firm, the leadership remains defiant, and diplomatic efforts face perhaps their steepest test yet,
