Israel’s Strike on Hamas Leaders Reignites Gaza Conflict
The recent attempt by Israel to take down top figures of Hamas signifies that a peaceful resolution to the Gaza conflict isn’t in sight anytime soon. The high-profile attack was reported in Doha, Qatar’s capital city and a significant ally to the United States. Several high-ranking officials of Hamas were apparently at a meeting deliberating on the newest peace proposal from the Trump administration when the Israeli Air Force launched the strike on the residential establishment. As per the reports from Hamas, the strike led to the unfortunate demise of five individuals, although key figures such as Khaled Mashaal, who leads Hamas outside Palestine, and Khalil al-Hayya, the organization’s exiled Gaza leader, escaped unscathed.
Qatar’s Ministry of Interior confirmed the loss of one of their internal security members due to the strike. The confirmed sanction for the strike was reportedly given by Israel’s Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, in response to a fatal attack by a Palestinian gunman at a bus stop in Jerusalem that resulted in the death of six individuals. However, the White House has maintained a safe distance from the strikes, conveying that while eradication of Hamas is ultimately a desirable objective, unilateral bombing of Qatar, a sovereign nation and a vital ally to the United States, does not align with their foreign policy goals.
The timing of the airstrike was pivotal in the Gaza war timeline, which has been ongoing for nearly two years. With the Trump administration aiming for a new ceasefire agreement and Israel gearing up for yet another on-ground offensive, the consequences are teetering on the edge. Notably, earlier the same day, Israel commanded a complete evacuation of Gaza City, warning of an imminent operation code-named ‘Gideon’s Chariots II’, sequel to the previous significant ground incursion into the territory which occurred over the summer.
Alongside the evacuation, Israel has been destroying residential towers in Gaza City, which it alleges are utilized as military bases by Hamas. Despite these preparations, doubts persist about the commitment of the war-weary Israeli military to another substantial ground mission. The overarching response, however, is that Israel remains as dedicated as it was at the war’s outset–three years ago–to a military victory over Hamas, rejecting the offer of a ceasefire as it has previously.
Balancing various international relations has been a long-standing aspect of Qatar’s foreign policy. It simultaneously serves as a host for Hamas and the US military’s largest Middle Eastern facility, the al-Udeid airbase. Additionally, Qatar is a member of the Gulf Cooperation Council, alongside countries such as the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. At the same time, it maintains a friendly rapport with Iran, considered a staunch rival by many GCC members.
Israel’s attack comes hot on the heels of another fraught incident involving Iran that happened less than three months earlier. In response to the US bombardment of its nuclear facilities, Iran had launched missiles targeting American forces stationed in Qatar. A senior scholar at the Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington suggested that Qatar has possibly over-relied on the presence of the al-Udeid base to protect it from such incidents.
This year, it’s the second instance where leaders involved in publicly acknowledged negotiations with the United States have experienced an attack by Israel. The first instance was in June, where Iran was at the receiving end. With the apparent lack of active intervention from the United States in these scenarios, the authenticity of these negotiations may be questioned by those in the region.
Another crucial observation is that Israel government carries the premise that Hamas could potentially be eradicated using force. Furthermore, it also believes that employing calculated attacks, or what they refer to as ‘mowing the grass,’ against other adversaries in the region could help manage the situation. However, if these approaches prove unsuccessful, they might soon find a lack of willing negotiators and potentially nowhere to host such discussions.