Air failure: Israel's operation in Qatar has failed

The priority of the government of Benjamin Netanyahu is not the rescue of prisoners, but the defeat of the Palestinian group, experts interviewed by Izvestia believe. The Israeli Air Force attacked Hamas leaders in Doha. The country's authorities said that the operation was a response to the terrorist attacks in Jerusalem, but Israeli press reports indicate that the decision on it was made in advance. Hamas confirmed that the leaders of the movement, including Khalil al-Haya, survived. The strike provoked a sharp reaction from Qatar and suspended its mediation efforts for the hostage exchange. Donald Trump also expressed regret — he considers Qatar an important ally.

A blow to Hamas in Doha

The Israeli Air Force deployed 15 fighter jets to attack Hamas leaders in Doha. The Office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stressed that the operation was carried out solely on the initiative of Israel and the country assumes full responsibility. As a result of the aggression, an employee of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Qatar was killed.

In a statement, the Hamas movement called the Israeli Air Force's attack on Doha a "heinous assassination attempt" and a "gross violation of international law." The organization stressed that the strike was directed against their negotiating delegation at the time of the discussion of the latest proposal by US President Donald Trump.

The head of the White House, by the way, said that he considers Qatar an important ally of the United States and "deeply regrets" that the Israeli strike fell on its territory. At the same time, Trump believes that the "sad incident" in Doha could be an opportunity for peace.

Hamas confirmed that the Israeli liquidation attempt had failed: the leader of the movement in the Gaza Strip and the head of the negotiating team, Khalil al-Haya, and his associates remained alive. However, several members of the movement were killed in the attack, including al-Haya's son.

The Israeli authorities claim that the strike was a response to Monday's terrorist attacks in Jerusalem and Gaza. On that day, two gunmen opened fire on a bus at the Ramot intersection, killing six people and injuring more than 10.

But the Jerusalem Post newspaper notes that attacks on Hamas in Qatar were planned a few days ago. In this case, it is difficult to call the strikes a reaction to the terrorist attack.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the Israeli operation, calling it a violation of Qatar's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

According to Murad Sadigzade, president of the Center for Middle East Studies, the current Israeli government is not very interested in the negotiation process with the Palestinian side.

— Most of the government is represented by far-right politicians oriented towards nationalist Zionism. Their goal is not to create a Palestinian state, but to expand Israel within the historical borders of the kingdom of David," the expert notes to Izvestia.

According to him, attacks on southern Lebanon, the Gaza Strip and even on Hamas leaders in Doha fit into this strategic plan.

White House press secretary Caroline Leavitt said that Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff, on behalf of Trump, informed the Qatari authorities about the upcoming Israeli attack.

"The Qataris were notified in advance, but they were left with no choice. Israel's actions and U.S. policy in the Middle East today often go hand in hand, and the American administration is even more protective of the interests of the Israeli government than its own," says Murad Sadigzade. He also draws attention to the geopolitical aspect: a strike on the territory of such an important regional player as Qatar requires caution.

Israel has shifted priorities on Gaza

After the strike, Qatar decided to suspend mediation efforts to resolve the conflict in Gaza.

Recall that the deployment of Hamas leaders in Doha was agreed with the United States back in 2012. The goal is to maintain an informal channel of communication between Washington and the movement. In March last year, former US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken allegedly sent a demand to Qatar: either expel Hamas or refuse to mediate negotiations with Israel.

The Qatari Foreign Ministry said at the time: the Hamas office in Doha functions for communication between the parties. Reports about its closure are not true.

Historically, Israel and Qatar have maintained important, albeit unofficial, ties. Doha provided humanitarian aid to Gaza and served as a communication channel between Hamas, Israel and the United States. The current strikes cast doubt on the future of this relationship.

By order of the Prime Minister, Israeli intelligence agencies continue to monitor Hamas leaders in neighboring countries. This is not the first attempt to assassinate the leadership of the Palestinian movement. In January, Hamas deputy leader Saleh al-Aruri was assassinated in Beirut.

The leadership of the Palestinian movement has long been cautious and avoided gathering in one place for fear of possible Israeli attacks. Nevertheless, Trump's "last offer" became the reason for a meeting and a common position, which could have become a trap that gathered the leaders of Hamas in one place. Recall that 48 Israeli prisoners continue to be held in the exclave, of which about 20 are believed to be alive.

According to orientalist Kirill Semenov, the issue of hostages has long ceased to be a priority for the Israeli leadership. Initially, this topic was used by Netanyahu rather for an internal political demonstration.

— However, now the main goal of the government is to cleanse the Palestinian population from the Gaza Strip, and then, possibly, the West Bank. In this logic, hostages become only an obstacle that the authorities intend to circumvent," the expert added to Izvestia.

He notes that a strike on Hamas in Qatar should not seriously damage communication channels. The military wing of the movement operates quite independently from the Politburo, and contacts between them are limited, mainly to coordinate decisions already made. Therefore, according to Kirill Semenov, this will not have a noticeable impact on the negotiation process.

"In fact, Qatar has already withdrawn from its mediating role, and Israel, having struck at Doha, seeks to finally close the topic of negotiations in order to continue its own escalatory scenario, the ultimate goal of which is to oust the population of Gaza," the Orientalist concludes.

The head of the opposition bloc in Israel, Yair Lapid, said: "The Hamas leaders are enemies, but the government must explain how the IDF's actions will not lead to the deaths of the hostages and whether the risk to prisoners is taken into account when deciding on an operation." According to him, it is no longer possible to prolong the war — it is necessary to end it and return the prisoners home.