Israel Attack on Hamas in Qatar Sparks Global Condemnation

Israel’s attack on Hamas’ negotiating team in Qatar, while they were deliberating a new ceasefire, raises serious questions not only about the legality of the strike — which violated international law and norms — and concerns over Qatar’s sovereignty, but also the potential regional and international fallout.

The fact that Israel notified the Trump administration of its impending strike and received the green light to proceed adds another troubling dimension, particularly for the Gulf states.

Israel’s action was calculated to achieve several objectives. First, Prime Minister Netanyahu did not want a new ceasefire at a time when the Israeli military was engaged in a major incursion into Gaza City to eliminate Hamas leaders and fighters.

Second, the gathering of Hamas’ top leaders in one place gave him an opportunity to eliminate many of them, which he did not want to miss.

Third, he wanted to send a clear message to other Arab states that he would not hesitate to act against what he considers an existential enemy, regardless of the consequences for relations with the countries involved.

Fourth, he sought to project Israel as the dominant power in the Middle East, especially while enjoying nearly unconditional support from the Trump administration.

Fifth, Netanyahu wanted to prevent the collapse of his government by complying with the demands of extremist ministers who threatened to resign if he stopped the war before eliminating Hamas “from the face of the earth,” however unattainable that goal might be. The strike in Doha was too tempting to pass up.

Critics have pointed to Netanyahu’s hypocrisy in attacking Hamas on Qatari soil, given that Qatar’s aid payments to Gaza — approved by Netanyahu himself — were delivered through Israel to pay salaries and prevent a humanitarian crisis.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres condemned the strike, noting Qatar’s constructive role in efforts to secure a Gaza ceasefire and the release of hostages.

French President Emmanuel Macron said, “Today’s Israeli strikes on Qatar are unacceptable, whatever the reason. I express my solidarity with Qatar and its Emir, Sheikh Tamim Al Thani. Under no circumstances should the war spread throughout the region.”

The attack has strained Israel’s ties with Egypt, a key player in ceasefire negotiations, and damaged prospects for normalisation with Gulf Arab states. The Gulf nations are also questioning US commitment to their security, as Qatar hosts the region’s largest US military base.

Qatar’s Prime Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, condemned the strike as “state terrorism” allegedly authorised by Netanyahu. He warned that Qatar reserved the right to defend its territory and take all necessary measures in response.

Observers argue that the fallout transcends the Israel-Hamas war. Israel’s assassinations abroad, backed by the Trump administration, raise serious questions about how far it will go in defying international law with presumed impunity.

Beyond the green light given by Trump, his unrelenting support for Netanyahu’s war in Gaza has left many nations alarmed. They now see the United States, once a stabilising force in global order, as a country posing extraordinary risks to international stability.

Without US consent, Netanyahu may not have dared such strikes in Qatar — or against targets in Lebanon, Iran, Yemen or Syria. Many now hold Washington equally responsible, fearing what might come next.

Analysts warn that the long-term consequences of these actions will eventually come back to haunt both Israel and the United States.