The Doha attack: Washington’s silent approval or an intelligence failure?

As part of its strategy to “eliminate the leadership cadre” of resistance forces in the region since the beginning of the Gaza war, Israel yesterday attempted a new assassination outside Palestinian territories, targeting a center in Doha, the capital of Qatar, where Hamas leaders were meeting.

The operation was seen not just as a military attack, but as a clear attempt to sabotage the ongoing mediation process.

The attack constitutes a direct interference in the Qatari channel, which is personally supported by Washington to secure a ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement between Israel and Hamas.

The failure of the assassination attempt does not diminish the seriousness of the incident or its potential consequences. This attack is considered a sign that Israel’s unchecked actions have reached a very advanced stage.

According to sources familiar with the matter who spoke to the Al-Akhbar newspaper, Egyptian authorities had warned Hamas officials in meetings over the past two weeks about security risks for the organization’s leaders outside Palestine, particularly in Lebanon and Türkiye.

However, the execution of such a blatant assassination attempt in Qatar came as a shock to both Doha and Cairo. Contrary to claims that the US had issued a warning before the attack, it was learned that Washington informed Qatari officials only ten minutes after the strike.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s claim that he decided on the assassination following the previous day’s attack in Jerusalem was not found to be credible.

More than a week ago, Israeli Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir had threatened Hamas leaders abroad, implying Israel’s intention to eliminate them.

It was reported that at least ten Israeli fighter jets participated in the attack, traveling approximately 1,800 kilometers through the airspace of Jordan, Syria, Iraq, and Saudi Arabia. The jets were said to have launched ten precision-guided missiles targeting a building in Doha where the Hamas political leadership delegation was meeting.

US tacit approval

It seems unlikely that Israel could carry out an operation of this magnitude in a Gulf country allied with the US without Washington’s tacit consent and approval.

The presence of the US military base at Al Udeid requires the US Central Command (CENTCOM) to be informed in advance about the attack for operational security reasons.

It was also noted that the new commander of CENTCOM had visited Tel Aviv a few days prior to meet with senior military and security officials.

Even if the claim that the Americans were not informed with sufficient time and “could not do anything” is accepted as true, the question of what the US stance will be on this attack remains.

It is unknown whether Washington, out of respect for its “strategic ally” Qatar, which hosts one of the most important American military bases in the Middle East, will refrain from vetoing possible measures against Israel in the Security Council.

Netanyahu: The enemy will have no immunity

In an official statement, Netanyahu confirmed that he had instructed security units to prepare to target Hamas leaders following the attacks in Jerusalem and Gaza.

Stating that the organization’s leadership “organized the October 7 massacre and continues to embrace actions against Israel,” Netanyahu said, “The enemy will have no immunity, and the blood of Israelis will not be spilled in vain.”

Netanyahu, who vowed to pursue Hamas leaders wherever they are in the world, added, “Hamas leaders celebrated the October 7 operation in Qatar, and they were targeted in the same place.”

However, it is known that the footage of Hamas leaders celebrating the Al-Aqsa Flood operation was recorded in Istanbul, not Doha.

Harsh reaction from Hamas and Qatar

Hamas strongly condemned the attack, calling it a “heinous crime and a blatant act of aggression.” A statement from the movement declared that the attack was a clear violation of the sovereignty of Qatar, which has been acting as a mediator alongside Egypt.

The statement noted that the attack targeted the negotiating delegation discussing the details of the latest American proposal and that “the attempt failed” despite casualties.

The statement emphasized that Israel is trying to undermine all appeasement efforts and does not care about the lives of the prisoners held by the resistance, holding the US administration responsible for its “constant support for the occupation’s crimes.”

Hamas reiterated its demands for an end to the aggression, a complete withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, a genuine prisoner exchange, and the start of reconstruction.

Qatar, for its part, issued a sharp media rebuke against Israel, describing the operation as “state terrorism.” Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman stated that Doha would not compromise on its sovereignty and would respond decisively to any violation.

Abdulrahman noted that “a legal team has been formed to take deterrent measures against the attack.”

Describing Netanyahu as a “thug dragging the region to an irreparable stage,” Abdulrahman said they were not informed in advance about the attack and that a US official contacted them only ten minutes after the explosions.

Debate in Israel over timing

In Israel, Channel 13 television reported that senior military and government officials found the timing of the operation “inappropriate” and would have preferred to exhaust the negotiation opportunities mediated by Qatar.

According to a report by Kan television, the Chief of Staff, the Mossad Director, the Head of the Military Intelligence Directorate, and the Head of the National Security Council objected not to the attack itself, but to its timing.

Channel 12 reported that although Mossad had prior knowledge of the operation, it did not actively participate in its execution.

In Washington, according to the Axios news portal, Trump’s advisors claimed that “Israel did not consult Washington before the bombing” and that they were informed late.

It was stated that the US detected the Israeli aircraft with radar before receiving official notification from Tel Aviv, which caused discomfort as it occurred during a mediation process led by Washington.

The Israel Hayom newspaper, citing intelligence sources, wrote that the idea of targeting Hamas leaders in Qatar was raised a year ago but was rejected due to disagreements with the Americans.

The report suggested that the operation was given the “green light” following Strategic Planning Minister Ron Dermer’s visit to the US a few days ago.