"Today, Israel attacked Hamas, apparently targeting its lead negotiator, Khalil al-Hayya, in Doha, the capital of Qatar. This tactic is not endorsed in Getting to Yes or in any other guide to negotiation or international law. It is, however, consistent with the stated view of Israel's leadership, which is that avowed members of a group engaged in ongoing acts of terror are valid targets wherever they happen to be."
"Israel demonstrated the sincerity of that last part-that it would strike wherever it wished-with its assassination of Ismail Haniyeh, Hamas's then-political leader, in Tehran last year. Even after that, Hamas considered Qatar safe, because it is the site of the U.S.-backed negotiations over the war in Gaza, and as long as Israel's closest ally was encouraging talks, Israel would need a living Hamas member to avoid a one-sided conversation."
"Hamas claims that its leaders in Qatar survived but that some lower-level figures, including al-Hayya's son, did not. Israeli officials claim that they attacked Hamas in Doha with American consent. White House officials say that Donald Trump learned about the operation just this morning and directed his envoy Steve Witkoff to tip off the Qataris. The Qataris say that they took his call just as the explosions were under way."
"Back in February, Trump said that if all of the Israeli hostages were not released within days, "all bets are off, and let hell break out." Trump added that it was Israel's choice whether to take advantage of its new latitude. Just this weekend, he suggested that Hamas's negotiators mull a deal he had proposed to them, according to which all of the Israeli hostages would be released"
Israel attacked Hamas in Doha, apparently targeting lead negotiator Khalil al-Hayya, and claimed alignment with a policy treating avowed terrorists as legitimate targets wherever found. Israel previously assassinated Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, reinforcing its willingness to strike abroad. Hamas considered Qatar relatively safe because of U.S.-backed negotiations and the need for a living interlocutor to avoid one-sided talks. Hamas reports some lower-level casualties, including al-Hayya's son. Israeli officials assert American consent; White House officials say Donald Trump learned of the operation the morning of the strike and directed his envoy to alert the Qataris, who report receiving the call as explosions began.
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