Israel Executes Qatar Airstrike After Mossad Rejects Ground Operation Against Hamas Leaders

Israel planned to assassinate senior Hamas leaders in Doha using a ground operation, but the Mossad declined to execute the plan, fearing it would harm the agency's relationship with Qatar, a key mediator in hostage talks. Mossad director David Barnea, along with IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir, opposed the strike's timing, warning it could derail ongoing hostage negotiations. Despite these warnings, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu overruled the opposition and authorized an airstrike involving 15 fighter jets firing 10 missiles, which failed to kill the top Hamas officials, including acting leader Khalil al-Hayya. The strike killed relatives and aides instead, leading to sharp internal debate in Israel and criticism from Qatar, which condemned the attack as 'state terrorism' and a betrayal of the mediation process. Analysts suggest Netanyahu may have been motivated to undermine Donald Trump's ceasefire plan and assert Israel's unwillingness to be constrained by foreign mediation. Notably, Nitzan Alon, who leads the hostage negotiations, was excluded from the decision-making meeting, indicating internal divisions on the operation.