The precision strike carried out by Israel in Doha on Tuesday was not just another military operation. It was a strategic, bold and unprecedented move, sending a clear message to our enemies and the world: there is no longer immunity for terrorist leaders, not even under the protection of a wealthy state like Qatar.
For months, negotiations to free the hostages were conducted on an uneven playing field. While the civilians of Gaza were suffering under the devastation of war, and thousands of Israeli families were agonizing over the fate of their loved ones, Hamas leaders sat comfortably in Doha—luxury hotels, five-star suites and limitless privileges—playing with human lives as if they were pieces on a chessboard. They enjoyed lives of indulgence while stubbornly rejecting any deal that did not serve their narrow political ambitions, cynically exploiting the hostages as an endless bargaining chip.
Aftermath of IDF strike on Hamas headquarters in Doha, Qatar
(Video: Reuters)
For too long, Israel displayed restraint, perhaps even complacency, in the hope that Qatari and American mediation would deliver results. But Hamas interpreted this restraint as weakness. From their safe haven in Doha, they believed they could direct and prolong the war without paying any price.
Tuesday’s strike changed the equation entirely. The elimination of senior figures such as Khalil al-Hayya, Khaled Mashaal, Zaher Jabarin and others, if confirmed, sends a sharp and unambiguous message:
“Those who block agreements, those who hold innocent people hostage, those who torment our citizens, can no longer hide behind mediators or diplomatic flags.”
Why was this move essential?
From a strategic perspective, Israel struck at the political heart of Hamas. While the military wing in Gaza has been weakened by continuous fighting, the political wing in Qatar continued to funnel orders, funding and propaganda. These leaders were the true engine of the war, while simultaneously obstructing every chance for an agreement that could end the bloodshed.
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Senior Hamas officials Zaher Jabareen, Mousa Abu Marzouk, Khalil al-Khayya, Khaled Mashaal, Ghazi Hamad
By targeting them, Israel has temporarily paralyzed this political mechanism, created internal confusion within Hamas and silenced some of the most extreme voices that consistently opposed pragmatic solutions.
Moreover, this operation sends a strong message to the international community. Qatar and other countries now understand that hosting terrorist leaders is not a “safe space,” and there is a cost for doing so. Regional players will take note: Israel will no longer allow its enemies to enjoy diplomatic shelter while spilling Israeli blood.
Impact on hostage negotiations
In the short term, this decisive blow could accelerate the path to an agreement. The remaining Hamas leaders will see that Israel is determined and willing to act, and may prefer to prioritize their own survival and that of their families over continuing the conflict.
In the long term, this move could trigger a paradigm shift: Israel will engage in negotiations only with parties who understand that the alternative to a deal is their elimination, not a prolonged, bloody stalemate.
Munir DahirIf Hamas chooses to respond with further violence or stalling tactics, the international community will now clearly see who is truly preventing the release of the hostages. The responsibility will rest entirely with Hamas.
Restoring the initiative to Israel
For nearly two years of war, Israel has been reacting to Hamas’s agenda, surprise attacks, provocations and hollow statements. This time, Israel seized the initiative. It shattered the so-called “rules of the game” that had given Hamas leaders a false sense of immunity and returned the conflict to a battleground where Israel sets the terms.
Hamas must now understand: The days of directing terror from luxury penthouses in Doha are over. As long as our hostages remain in captivity and Israel faces existential threats, there will be no safe haven for our enemies.
The message sent to Doha last night resonates far beyond the Persian Gulf: Israel is determined, proactive and will no longer allow any terrorist organization to dictate its future.