A targeted Israeli airstrike in Doha on Tuesday, striking leaders of Hamas mid-ceasefire talks, has prompted Qatar’s prime minister to openly denounce the action as “state terror”.

The strike, which claimed the lives of six individuals—including a Qatari security officer—took place as top Hamas figures met to discuss a U.S.-backed hostage deal.

Although Hamas reported that its senior leadership survived, the attack has dealt a significant blow to ongoing negotiations.

Speaking in a pointed interview, the prime minister condemned the strike as barbaric and said it “killed any hope” for the hostages.

He expressed deep frustration at being blindsided, revealing that U.S. officials only notified Qatar about the operation after it had already begun.

Qatar, which has been a principal mediator in ceasefire efforts, now finds its role deeply jeopardized.

The strike drew widespread international condemnation.

Dozens of nations and global organizations, including the United Nations, the European Union, and Arab League members, condemned the violation of Qatar’s sovereignty and warned of its broader destabilising effects.

In response, Qatar pledged to reassess its mediation role and pursue accountability for what it sees as a betrayal of diplomacy.