On the 9th, Israel carried out a “precision strike” targeting senior leaders of the Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) in Doha, Qatar. The attack drew strong condemnation from multiple countries and international organizations, including the United Nations. What were the consequences of the Israeli attack? Why did Israel launch the attack despite Qatar’s role as a key mediator in ceasefire negotiations in the Gaza Strip? How will the attack affect the trajectory of the situation in the Gaza Strip?
What were the consequences of the attack?
Hamas issued a statement on the 9th, confirming that Hamas personnel had been killed in the attack, but that Israel’s attempt to assassinate Hamas leaders had “failed.”
According to Hamas sources, the attack occurred while the Hamas delegation was discussing the latest US ceasefire proposal. No Hamas leaders were killed, but family members and aides of senior Hamas leaders were killed in the explosion.
The attack occurred in Doha’s embassy district, surrounded by schools and residential buildings. Local residents interviewed expressed shock and horror. The Qatari Ministry of Interior said one member of the Qatari security forces was killed and several others were injured.
A statement released by the Israel Defense Forces and the Shin Bet General Security Service on the 9th stated that the Hamas leadership members attacked were “directly responsible” for the large-scale attacks against Israel in October 2023 and had been planning and directing operations against Israel.
Following the attack, numerous countries, as well as international organizations such as the United Nations and the Arab League, strongly condemned the Israeli attack, stating that it constituted a serious violation of international law, infringed upon Qatar’s sovereignty, and undermined peacemaking efforts.
Why the attack in Doha?
Qatar has played a key role in mediating the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, maintaining contact with all parties and actively promoting ceasefire negotiations. Hamas also has an office in Doha.
Some analysts believe that Israel’s attack, despite Qatar’s role as mediator, is intended to further undermine Hamas’s leadership and weaken its decision-making and negotiating capabilities.
Hail Diabate, a professor at the School of International Relations at Qatar University, stated that Israel’s goal is to eliminate Hamas and exclude it from decision-making and negotiations. In other words, Israel is attempting to remove obstacles to the negotiations, hoping to find a negotiating partner willing to accept Israel’s conditions or at least not hinder its plans.
Eyal Zisser, Vice President of Tel Aviv University and a Middle East expert, believes that Israel’s primary objective remains to “liquidate” Hamas’s top brass. Israel has declared from the outset that all those involved in the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, will be punished, regardless of their location.
Zsser also noted that a White House official told Qatar’s Al Jazeera that Washington had “advance knowledge of the attack against Hamas officials.” Furthermore, the United States has close ties with Qatar and considers it a “major ally outside of NATO.” Therefore, how the United States responds will directly impact its relations with Qatar and other regional countries.
How the Situation Will Impact the Future
Analysts say that the United States and Israel recognize Qatar’s importance as a mediator, which is why Israel has previously refrained from targeting Hamas leaders in Qatar. However, this attack signals a significant shift in Israel’s position.
On the 9th, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, while attending an event at the U.S. Embassy in Israel, stated that “the days of terrorist leaders enjoying immunity (from targeted killings) somewhere are gone.” He said Israel’s strikes against Hamas leaders could “pave the way for an immediate end to the Gaza war.”
Steven Wright, a professor at Hamad bin Khalifa University in Qatar, stated that Israel’s attack on Qatar was not only “shocking, reckless, and a blatant violation of international law,” but also clearly demonstrated that “Israel has no desire for peace.” Khalid Ahmed, an associate professor of political science at Qatar University, believes that Israel’s hegemonic actions, which disregard regional security and stability, will only lead to greater instability in the region.
Qatar has stated that it will continue to mediate ceasefire negotiations in the Gaza Strip. However, some analysts believe that the Israeli attack will put greater pressure on Qatar’s mediating role, creating more obstacles for future ceasefire negotiations in the Gaza Strip.
