The funeral for six people killed in an Israeli strike targeting Hamas in Qatar began on Thursday at Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdul Wahhab Mosque in Doha, amid heightened security. The Gulf state’s ruler, Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, joined mourners in paying respects, reflecting the gravity of the incident.
Live footage from Qatari television showed one coffin draped with a Qatari flag and five others with Palestinian flags being brought to the mosque, where the emir prayed alongside dozens of attendees. Some mourners wore traditional white robes, while others were in military uniforms, underscoring the mixture of civilian and official presence.
According to Qatar’s Interior Ministry, the deceased were to be buried at Mesaimeer Cemetery following the funeral ceremony. Security was reinforced around the mosque, with checkpoints set up on access roads to ensure safety.
The strike on Tuesday targeted Hamas leaders in Doha, though the group claimed that its top officials survived. Hamas reported that five of its members were killed: Hamam, the son of top negotiator Khalil al-Hayya; Jihad Labad, his office director; and bodyguards Ahmad Mamlouk, Abdallah Abdelwahd, and Mumen Hassoun. A Qatari soldier, Lance Corporal Badr Saad Mohammed al-Humaidi al-Dosari, was also among the dead.
Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani said in a CNN interview that the fate of Khalil al-Hayya could not be confirmed. The Hamas chief negotiator was not seen at the funeral.
The prime minister described the Israeli strike as a setback for the prospects of freeing hostages in Gaza and stated that Qatar was reassessing its role as a mediator in ceasefire negotiations.
Doha has hosted multiple rounds of indirect negotiations between Hamas and Israel and has allowed Hamas to maintain a political office in the emirate since 2012, with U.S. approval to maintain communication channels.
Sheikh Mohammed called for a collective regional response to the attack and announced plans for an Arab-Islamic summit in Doha to determine the next course of action, reflecting Qatar’s continued engagement in regional diplomacy amidst rising tensions.
