AMIT SEGAL -- The attempted assassination of senior Hamas leaders in Doha was not only a strike against terrorism—it was part of a broader strategic calculation.
The move aimed to remove Hamas figures opposing a ceasefire, mirroring the effect of Hassan Nasrallah’s killing on Hezbollah. Israel hopes such actions could push Hamas toward releasing hostages and hasten the war’s end, as Minister Ron Dermer predicts normalization agreements with Arab states by year’s end.
Regional reactions revealed mixed feelings: Arab officials condemned the act in public but privately welcomed Qatar’s humiliation.
The perception of Israel has shifted in a year—from a battered victim under Biden to a powerful aggressor under Trump. While few regret the blow to Qatar, neighbors fear Israel may now be overreaching.