Israel’s war against Hamas reached a new and unprecedented front this week — not in Gaza, not in Lebanon, but in Doha, Qatar.
In a stunning escalation, the IDF and Shin Bet confirmed a targeted strike on senior Hamas leadership operating openly in Qatar’s capital. The targets, Khalil al-Hayya and Zaher Jabarin, were long considered untouchable figures, central to Hamas’ finances, planning, and the October 7th massacre.
The operation, which was captured on CCTV footage, shattered the assumption that Hamas leaders could safely operate from plush offices abroad while their foot soldiers bled Gaza dry. Israel’s message was clear: there is no sanctuary, not even in the heart of a U.S. ally’s capital city.
Qatar’s furious response was immediate. Its foreign ministry labeled the strike a “cowardly attack,” called it a violation of sovereignty, and even accused Israel of undermining hostage negotiations. Saudi Arabia and France followed with their own condemnations. Britain joined in as well. The diplomatic chorus was predictable: sovereignty had been violated, peace efforts endangered.
Yet Israel’s calculus was equally predictable. These men weren’t bystanders. They were the architects of October 7th, responsible for financing, strategy, and ongoing operations across the region. Prime Minister Netanyahu owned the decision outright: “Israel initiated it, Israel conducted it, and Israel takes full responsibility.” Ambassador Danny Danon reinforced the point, declaring there is no hiding place for Hamas leadership.
Meanwhile, the U.S. quietly admitted that it was briefed ahead of time. The embassy in Doha issued a temporary shelter-in-place order, but Washington has not publicly condemned the operation. That silence is telling. Whatever the diplomatic cost, the strike aligns with the Trump administration’s bottom line: Hamas must release hostages or face consequences.
Trump himself had just issued a final ultimatum: accept the terms — release the hostages, end the war — or suffer the fallout. On Truth Social he warned, “This is my last warning, there will not be another one!” The timing of Israel’s strike, coming days after that warning, suggests a coordinated tightening of the noose.
Hamas’ reply was equally calculated. Suddenly, the terror group announced its willingness to return to the negotiating table — demanding in exchange a full Israeli withdrawal and a new Palestinian administrative authority for Gaza. It’s a maximalist opening gambit, but the context is clear: the leadership now knows they are not safe in Beirut, Doha, or anywhere else.
And all of this came as Israel faced a wave of violence: a deadly terror shooting in Jerusalem and a Houthi drone attack on Ramon Airport in southern Israel. Netanyahu, under immense internal and external pressure, admitted Israel is paying “a high price in the diplomatic and propaganda realm.” Yet he remained resolute: “If I have to choose between victory over our enemies and bad propaganda against us, I choose victory.”
