Israel launched an airstrike on senior Hamas leaders in Qatar, targeting the militant group’s officials. The Mossad director, David Barnea, opposed killing the Hamas officials in Qatar because it could damage their relationship with the Qatari government, which hosts Hamas leaders and mediates ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas. The strike reflects a broader opposition within the Israeli security establishment to the attack ordered by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Instead of deploying Mossad operatives, Israel used 15 fighter jets that fired 10 missiles from afar. The airstrike failed to kill senior officials, including acting leader Khalil al-Hayya, and instead killed several relatives and aides of Hamas delegation as well as a Qatari officer. Israeli officials declined to share assessments of the outcome, but one person familiar with details said “Israel did not get who they wanted.”
The Mossad believed Qatar was an important intermediary in talks with Hamas, and agency director Barnea had praised the country’s role in mediation processes. Netanyahu’s decision may have been driven by a desire to derail a Trump administration proposal or send a message to Persian Gulf countries seeking to promote Palestinian statehood.
Netanyahu has accused Qatar of granting Hamas safe haven, sparking international condemnation. However, Israel’s relationship with Qatar is complex, as the country has hosted Hamas leaders for decades and received financial support from Qatar.
Source: https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/09/12/mossad-israel-qatar-strike-hamas