Egypt, Qatar reportedly tried to shield Hamas leaders from Israeli assassinations

Egyptian authorities, in coordination with Qatari officials, reportedly undertook efforts in recent weeks to safeguard senior Hamas leaders from targeted Israeli assassinations, particularly those residing outside the Gaza Strip.

According to the Lebanese daily Al-Akhbar, high-level discussions took place between Cairo, Doha, and Hamas leadership in an attempt to address mounting security concerns, Caliber.Az reports.

The talks, which were held discreetly, focused on the increasing threat of Israeli operations targeting Hamas figures in third-party nations, with particular emphasis on Lebanon and Türkiye — both of which host prominent members of the movement.

Despite these preventative efforts, a recent Israeli strike in Qatar reportedly caught all parties by surprise. Sources familiar with the matter stated that the operation was executed with such speed and secrecy that the United States only notified Qatari officials ten minutes after the attack had already occurred. The nature of the target and the full extent of the damage remain undisclosed, though the event has sent shockwaves through diplomatic and intelligence circles.

Israel is facing growing condemnation after it attacked Hamas leadership in the capital of Qatar, a US ally and key mediator in Gaza ceasefire talks — putting hostage negotiations at risk.

Hamas said the strike killed five members but failed to assassinate the negotiating delegation, the target of the strikes.

US President Donald Trump has criticized the strike, saying that by the time his administration learned of the attack and told the Qataris, there was little he could do to stop it.

The attack is the first publicly acknowledged strike on a Gulf state by Israel. Qatar’s prime minister was visibly angry and said his country’s tradition of diplomacy “won’t be deterred.”

Israel attempted to kill the political leaders of Hamas with an airstrike on Qatar on September 9, escalating its military action in the Middle East with what the US described as a unilateral attack that does not advance American and Israeli interests.

By Vafa Guliyeva