Almost exactly a year ago, I interviewed the Hamas leader Khalil al-Hayya in Doha, near the site of Israel's recent attacks. From the outset of the Gaza conflict, al-Hayya served as the main negotiator, communicating with Israeli and American officials through intermediaries from Qatar and Egypt.
During the airstrike, al-Hayya and other targeted leaders were reportedly discussing American diplomatic proposals to resolve the conflict and secure the release of Israeli hostages. Israel’s immediate acknowledgment of the strikes ignited speculation that the attack was a strategic move to eliminate key figures in one location.
Previously, Qatar aimed to present itself as a neutral ground for diplomacy, facilitating talks between conflicting parties, including the U.S. and the Taliban. However, following this attack, a senior Western diplomat stated candidly: 'there is no diplomacy.'
Israel's offensive in Gaza is intensifying; before the Doha attack, the IDF had ordered Palestinians to vacate Gaza City as part of a military campaign expected to impact over one million civilians. In a recent communication, Prime Minister Netanyahu assured Israelis that their enemies would face severe consequences for the October 7 attacks.
Despite the Israeli military's actions, which have already led to extensive civilian casualties and infrastructural damage in Gaza, Netanyahu urged Palestinians towards peace under U.S.-backed proposals while overlooking the humanitarian disaster unfolding in the territory.
The U.S. voiced its concern over the attack in Doha, emphasizing Qatar's strategic importance as an ally housing a substantial U.S. military base. Nevertheless, Netanyahu seems to rely on the support of American leadership to justify further military actions, risking further diplomatic isolation.
With growing international apprehension regarding the humanitarian implications of Israel's military campaigns and political maneuvers regarding Palestinian territories, the prospect of a peaceful resolution appears increasingly remote.
