Doha to host Arab and Islamic summit in show of solidarity following Israel's attack

Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim attended a funeral for those killed in the strike

Qatar says it will host an emergency Arab-Islamic summit on Sunday and Monday to discuss the Israeli attack on Doha.

On Thursday, Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim attended a funeral for those killed in the Tuesday attack that targeted Hamas leaders in the Qatari capital.

The funeral prayers were held at Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdul Wahhab Mosque in Doha.

The Israeli army launched an air strike on a building in Doha on Tuesday in an attempt to kill Hamas political leaders, leading to widespread international condemnation.

The militant group said its top officials survived the attack but five of its members were left dead and a Qatari security force member was also killed.

Qatar will hold their funerals on Thursday in Doha, its Interior Ministry said.

The Hamas members killed were top negotiator Khalil Al Hayya's son Haman, his office director Jihad Labad and bodyguards Ahmad Mamlouk, Abdallah Abdelwahd and Mumen Hassoun.

People attend a funeral held for those killed by an Israeli attack in Doha, including a member of the Internal Security Force, at the Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdul Wahhab Mosque in Doha, Qatar, September 11, 2025. Reuters

Qatar, along with Egypt, has been mediating talks between Hamas and Israel to end the Gaza war. Doha has long hosted the political office of Hamas.

Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani on Wednesday said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had “killed any hope” of releasing hostages still held by Hamas by carrying out the Doha attack.

His comments, ahead of an appearance at the UN on Thursday, underscore wider anger among Gulf Arab countries over the strike.

The Israeli leader on Wednesday warned Qatar to either expel Hamas officials who have been living in the country or “bring them to justice”.

“If you don't, we will,” he added, which prompted a stern response from Doha.

The Qatari Foreign Ministry condemned what it called Mr Netanyahu's “explicit threats of future violations of state sovereignty”.

“Netanyahu is fully aware that the hosting of the Hamas office took place within the framework of Qatar's mediation efforts requested by the United States and Israel,” the ministry said.

Did the US really warn Qatar about an Israeli attack on Doha?

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“The negotiations were always held in an official and transparent manner, with international support and in the presence of US and Israeli delegations. Netanyahu's insinuation that Qatar secretly harboured the Hamas delegation is a desperate attempt to justify a crime condemned by the entire world.

“We will work with our partners to ensure Netanyahu is held accountable and that his reckless and irresponsible actions are brought to an end,” the ministry added.

Mr Al Thani, when asked in an interview with CNN whether Doha would shut down Hamas' political office, said his government was “reassessing everything”.

“We are in a very detailed conversation with the United States government and we need to understand what will be the way forward,” he said.

In the US, Israel's ambassador Yechiel Leiter was unrepentant on Wednesday, saying that if Israel had failed to kill Hamas leaders in the Doha strike, it would succeed next time.

“We have put terrorists on notice, wherever they may be … we're going to pursue them, and we're going to destroy those who will destroy us,” he said in a speech at the US Capitol complex.

Washington has distanced itself from the Doha attack, with US President Donald Trump saying he was “unhappy” about the strike.

The Wall Street Journal reported that Mr Trump had a heated call with Mr Netanyahu on Tuesday, telling him his decision to attack Hamas inside Qatar was not wise.

Mr Netanyahu has defied global condemnation of the Doha strike, immediately following up on Wednesday with attacks on the Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen.

Israel attacked the Houthi Defence Ministry and other locations in the capital Sanaa, killing at least 35 people.