SAEDNEWS: Residents of Doha, Qatar, are grappling with fear and uncertainty after an Israeli attack targeting Hamas leaders shook the city, leaving six dead and igniting widespread unease.
According to Saed News; A pall of grief and disbelief hung over Doha on Thursday as six coffins – five draped in Palestinian flags and one in Qatar’s – were carried before hundreds gathered at the Imam Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab Mosque for funeral prayers. Qatar’s Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, sat in the front row, paying tribute to those killed, including 22-year-old Lance-Corporal Badr Saad Mohammed al-Humaidi al-Dosari of the Internal Security Forces.
The funerals followed a shocking attack on Tuesday that targeted Hamas leaders discussing a Gaza ceasefire proposal by the United States. Though the leaders survived, the city of Doha, renowned for its safety, was thrust into a sudden reality of vulnerability.
Eyewitnesses described a series of explosions in the West Bay Lagoon area, sending up plumes of smoke and leaving residents in shock. Mohammed Asim, 40, who lives nearby, told Al Jazeera, “I thought a house was being demolished. It wasn’t until I saw the news that I realised.”
The scene hours later remained tense. Drones hovered over the site, emergency services sifted through rubble, and streets were cordoned off. Nearby schools and residential areas felt the impact, with families peeking cautiously from windows at the flashing lights of security vehicles.
Qatar has vowed to coordinate with regional allies. Visits from leaders such as the UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif underscored regional solidarity. Even former US President Donald Trump publicly assured that such an attack would not happen again, though he added that “eliminating Hamas is a worthy goal.”
Despite these assurances, residents expressed lingering unease. Billboards in West Bay’s City Centre Mall bore the prayer of Prophet Abraham: “Our Lord, make this land secure,” attempting to calm a nervous populace. One resident named Mohammed said, “Israel behaves however it wants, and after a bit of harsh language, things go back to before. We’ll see what Trump actually does.”
The attack has forced Doha’s citizens to confront an unprecedented sense of insecurity. For decades, Qatar’s independence since 1971 has coincided with a reputation for stability, untouched by direct military action. The recent incident, targeting leaders within a residential area near schools, challenged that notion dramatically.
Emergency responders and security forces maintained a visible presence, reflecting the seriousness of the event. The city, usually a hub of diplomacy and business, became an unlikely epicenter of fear. The emotional toll was evident, from tearful children at funerals to residents cautiously navigating streets, unsure of what the future may hold.
While regional and international figures extend gestures of solidarity, Doha’s residents face the difficult task of reconciling life in a city suddenly brought into the crosshairs of broader regional conflicts. The collective question now is whether assurances from leaders are enough to restore a sense of normalcy to this city suddenly gripped by fear.
