Israel struck Hamas leaders in Qatar as they reviewed a US
ceasefire proposal for Gaza, raising fears of fresh setbacks to fragile truce
negotiations.
The attack on a US ally's land was a startling escalation that put negotiations to settle the conflict and release hostages at risk of being derailed.
Even before the conflict, Qatar, a US ally with abundant resources that is home to thousands of US troops, was a crucial mediator between Israel and Hamas. As smoke billowed above its capital, Doha, it denounced what it called a "flagrant violation of all international laws and norms."
According to Qatar's Interior Ministry, the incident claimed the life of one of its security officers.
A member of Qatar's Internal Security Force was slain, the government said in a statement.
It also said that other security men were injured.
Regarding the condition of Hamas officials at the location, it provided no information.
Despite suffering severe setbacks since the conflict began as a result of their October 7, 2023, attack on Israel, Hamas has managed to escape multiple assassinations of its top leaders and remains intact in Gaza.
With Israel preparing for a massive operation to seize Gaza City, the future of the long-stalled ceasefire negotiations was less certain.
There has been strong international condemnation of that escalation, and there is opposition in Israel from those who believe it will endanger the remaining hostages.
"All parties must work towards achieving a permanent ceasefire, not destroying it,"
said UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres in his condemnation of the incident.
Hamas has stated that it will only free the 48 hostages that are still held, of which about 20 are thought to be alive, in return for Palestinian detainees, a permanent peace, and Israel's full exit from Gaza. According to Netanyahu, Israel will maintain unrestricted security control over Gaza and the war will not stop until all hostages have been returned and Hamas has been disarmed.
Prior to the two parties commencing negotiations on a more permanent truce, mediators had concentrated on negotiating a short-term ceasefire and the release of a few captives. After Witkoff left those negotiations in July, Hamas agreed to a plan mediators claimed was nearly the same as one Israel had previously authorized.
Israel's international standing has already deteriorated due to the war in Gaza; even many of its Western allies have called for an end to the conflict and greater action to solve the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where starvation is already plaguing portions of the territory.
Shortly after the incident, the foreign minister of the United Arab Emirates, Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, declared "complete solidarity with our dear Qatar."
The Abraham Accords, a historic deal mediated by Trump during his first term that repaired relations between the two countries, would be threatened by any attempt by Israel to annex the occupied West Bank, the United Arab Emirates has warned.
Trump wants to extend such agreements to Saudi Arabia, a major player in the area, but as the war has progressed, those chances have waned.
In a phone conversation with Qatar's ruler, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman called the strike a "criminal act and a flagrant violation of international law."
How might the strike in Qatar affect Gaza ceasefire negotiations?
Ever since October 2023, Qatar has been a vital broker who
helped to facilitate indirect talks between Hamas and Israel, and they
condemned the attack describing it a “reckless” illegal infringement of its
sovereignty. The attack does not bode well for Qatar's capacity and willingness
to continue hosting and brokering negotiations.
The airstrike targeted top Hamas leaders that were directly involved in the ceasefire discussions, including Khalil al-Hayya, Hamas's chief negotiator. Although it was reported that they survived the attack, several prominent aides and other key Hamas members were killed that will disrupt their negotiating capacity and weaken their resolve.
The timing of the strike is also important as reports indicated that Hamas was considering a U.S. proposal involving a 60-day pause for a negotiated and monitored exchange of hostages.