On September 9, 2025, Israel conducted a targeted airstrike in Doha, Qatar, aimed at senior Hamas leaders amid active ceasefire negotiations. Among those targeted was Khalil al-Hayya, the group’s key negotiator and one of the five-member acting leadership council. Al-Hayya survived the strike, but tragically, his son Humam and his office director Jihad Labad were killed—along with three bodyguards and a Qatari security officer. 

Who Is Khalil al-Hayya?

Born in 1960 in Gaza City, al-Hayya joined Hamas in 1987 and climbed its ranks to become deputy chairman and later acting head of the Political Bureau .

After the deaths of leaders like Ismail Haniyeh and Yahya Sinwar, he emerged as a central figure, especially in ceasefire diplomacy, operating from Qatar as a liaison with Arab states and international mediators .

He has endured personal losses in past Israeli attacks, including the death of his entire eldest son’s family during the 2014 war .

Regional Fallout

The strike disrupted ongoing mediation efforts. Qatar denounced the attack as a violation of sovereignty and international law, and global actors—including the UN, EU, Turkey, Egypt, and others—condemned the incident . The attack marked a dangerous escalation, striking diplomatic negotiations head-on.