Erdoğan, Qatari emir discuss Israeli attack on Hamas officials in Doha

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan held a phone call with Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani to discuss Israel’s attack on members of the Palestinian militant group Hamas in Doha, as well as joint steps to be taken in response.

“During the conversation, the Israeli attack on the Hamas negotiating team in Qatar and the joint steps required in response were discussed. President Erdoğan condemned Israel’s strike, describing it as an attempt to exacerbate the conflict, increase tensions and instability in the region, and a blatant violation of Qatar’s sovereignty, a friend and ally of [Türkiye],” the Turkish leader’s office said in a statement, Caliber.Az reports, citing Russian media.

Erdoğan extended condolences over the deaths caused by what he called a “heinous attack,” stressing that “Türkiye will fully support Qatar and its people.” 

Both leaders also “agreed to continue working together for the swiftest possible end to the bloodshed in Gaza,” the statement added.

On September 9, Israel conducted a precise airstrike in Doha, Qatar, targeting senior Hamas leaders amid ongoing ceasefire negotiations mediated by Qatar, the United States, and Egypt. The operation, involving 15 Israeli fighter jets and 10 munitions, struck residential buildings in the Katara district housing members of Hamas’s political bureau, where the group was discussing a U.S. ceasefire proposal for Gaza that included hostage releases and a 60-day truce. Explosions were reported around 2:00 p.m. local time, with smoke billowing over the area near schools and embassies, causing panic among residents.

Hamas confirmed that five of its members were killed, including the son of chief Gaza leader and lead negotiator Khalil al-Hayya, his office manager, three bodyguards, and an aide, but stated that the core negotiating delegation, including al-Hayya, survived the attempt on their lives. A Qatari internal security official also died in the strike, bringing the total confirmed deaths to six. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) and Shin Bet described the action as a “precise strike” against Hamas figures responsible for the October 7, 2023, attack on Israel, which killed 1,200 people and led to the ongoing Gaza war, now in its 23rd month with over 64,000 Palestinian deaths reported.

By Khagan Isayev