India on Tuesday said it is deeply concerned over the Israeli strikes on Doha and its possible impact on the security situation of the region. New Delhi also called for restraint so that peace and security in the region is not endangered.
India on Israeli Strikes on Doha
India on Tuesday said it is deeply concerned over the Israeli strikes on Doha and its possible impact on the security situation of the region. New Delhi also called for restraint so that peace and security in the region is not endangered. Israel launched a strike targeting Hamas’ leadership in Qatar on Tuesday, Surveillance footage aired by Al Jazeera shows the strike on buildings that housed Hamas’ political wing in Doha’s diplomatic quarter.
Hamas said in a statement that all of its leaders survived the attack but that five lower-ranked members were killed. Qatar said a member of its Internal Security Force died and others were wounded in the attack. Qatar has served as a key negotiator in efforts to end the conflict in the Gaza Strip, and it was unclear if the attack would stall those efforts. U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres condemned the attack Tuesday, saying “all parties must work towards achieving a permanent ceasefire, not destroying it.”
In the war against Iran and its allies that it has been waging since October 7, 2023, Israel has established a pattern of wiping out entire slates of enemy leaders. Last September, Israel shocked Hezbollah and forced it into a humiliating ceasefire by killing its leader Hassan Nasrallah, half its leadership council, and its top military command. Israel struck Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh while he was in Tehran, but his colleagues had many reasons to assume that they were untouchable while on Qatari soil.
Qatar has used its oil and natural gas wealth to spread its soft power throughout the West. The emirate hosts the largest US military base in the Middle East, and, most importantly, it has served as the key Arab mediator in indirect talks between Israel and Hamas on hostage release deals.
Concern for the hostages
An immediate question that arises — beyond the success of the strikes — is the effect it will have on attempts to reach a hostage deal. US President Donald Trump had presented a new comprehensive proposal to Israel and Hamas. The targeted leaders were reportedly meeting to discuss the outline.
Even if Qatar doesn’t go so far as pushing Hamas to harm hostages, it can hurt Israel in other ways, though none of them militarily. It has economic influence in the West and in Arab countries neighboring Israel, and over time, could push those countries to take measures that damage Israel. Regardless of how Qatar responds, it has suffered a massive blow. The Qataris have been cementing their position as the indispensable US ally in the Middle East.
On the other hand, with Qatar on the sidelines, Egypt has much more bargaining power with Israel, and ties are strained. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi used to have a productive relationship with Netanyahu but feels betrayed by him and Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer for publicly blaming Cairo for failing to plug smuggling tunnels into Gaza. Publicly, at least, their goals are aligned. The White House stressed on Tuesday evening that Trump wants all the hostages returned and for the war to end “now.” Netanyahu, a little earlier, said the strike in Doha could open the door for an end to the war, a better future for Gaza, and a revival of regional normalization efforts.
