Netanyahu’s Failed Strike on Hamas Leaders Shakes Allies

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made a bold and dangerous move this week. He ordered an airstrike in Qatar, hoping to kill senior Hamas leaders who live in exile there. His goal was to weaken Hamas, push the group toward surrender, and move closer to what he has often called “total victory.”

But the plan did not succeed. Hamas quickly announced that its senior leaders survived the attack, although it did not provide any proof. Qatar also did not comment on the leaders’ condition. Only five lower-level Hamas members and a Qatari security guard were killed. For Netanyahu, who wanted to show an “image of victory,” this outcome turned into a setback.

Instead of looking strong, Netanyahu now faces more anger from Qatar, criticism from across the Arab world, and tension with the United States. The strike has also shaken the hopes for a ceasefire deal and put the fate of the remaining hostages in Gaza at even greater risk.

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Why Netanyahu Ordered the Strike

For almost two years, Israel has been fighting a fierce war in the Gaza Strip. The war began after the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. Since then, Israel’s military has killed most of Hamas’ leaders inside Gaza, but its top leadership abroad still operates freely. Netanyahu believes that eliminating them is key to winning the war completely.

If the airstrike in Doha had killed Hamas’ top leaders, Netanyahu could have claimed a symbolic victory. He might have said to his people and his coalition partners: “We won. We destroyed Hamas’ leadership.” This would have allowed him to silence critics and satisfy the far-right members of his coalition, who are pressuring him to continue the war at any cost.

But now, with the operation failing, it has become harder for him to push a ceasefire deal and even more difficult to convince the public that “total victory” is still possible.

Burning Bridges With Qatar

The strike did not only fail to kill Hamas’ top leaders. It also damaged Israel’s relations with Qatar. This is important because Qatar has been one of the main mediators in this war.

Qatar helped negotiate earlier ceasefire deals that freed 148 hostages, including eight bodies, in exchange for Palestinian prisoners. Israel itself managed to rescue only eight hostages alive through military operations.

Until now, Israel kept the channel with Qatar open, even while complaining that Qatar was too soft on Hamas. But with this strike, experts say Israel has “burned the channel.” In other words, it signaled to the world that it no longer values Qatar’s role as a mediator.

Qatar’s Prime Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, reacted strongly. Speaking after the strike, he said he no longer saw anything “valid” in the current ceasefire talks. He also accused Israel of abandoning the hostages, saying that the extremists in Israel’s leadership did not care about their lives.

Still, Qatar has not completely withdrawn from its role. Sheikh Mohammed later told the United Nations Security Council that his country is still ready to mediate if the opportunity arises.

U.S. Relations Under Strain

Perhaps the biggest political risk for Netanyahu is straining ties with the United States, Israel’s closest and most important ally. Since Donald Trump returned to the White House, Netanyahu has enjoyed strong American support. But the strike in Doha seems to have tested that relationship.

President Trump said he was “very unhappy” about the airstrike and promised the Qataris that such an attack would not happen again. He did not, however, say whether the U.S. would punish Israel or pressure Netanyahu to change course.

Even so, the message from Washington was clear: Netanyahu had pushed too far. Striking a U.S. ally like Qatar, which has hosted sensitive negotiations, was seen as reckless. Secretary of State Marco Rubio quickly traveled to Washington to meet Qatar’s prime minister and later planned to visit Israel, signaling how seriously the U.S. is taking this crisis.

The War in Gaza Presses On

Despite all this, Netanyahu shows no sign of slowing down the war in Gaza. On the contrary, Israel is preparing for a major new operation in Gaza City. The military has already told around one million people to evacuate before the expected invasion.

Israeli officials insist they will not stop until Hamas is completely destroyed. But many outside voices disagree. The United Nations, the European Union, and even some Western countries that support Israel are now calling for an end to the war. Some countries are planning to recognize a Palestinian state at the U.N. later this month.

Yet Netanyahu’s government continues its campaign, brushing off these appeals. Some analysts say the only person who might stop him is President Trump, if he were to tell Israel “enough is enough.”

The Human Cost and Hostages’ Families in Fear

One of the most painful consequences of this failed strike is the impact on the families of Israeli hostages still trapped in Gaza. There are believed to be about 20 hostages alive. For their families, any hope of a deal now seems more distant than before.

Einav Zangauker, whose son Matan is among the captives, described her fear and heartbreak after hearing about the Doha strike. She said she was “shaking with fear” and asked why the prime minister keeps destroying every chance for a deal.

For many families, Netanyahu’s strategy looks like it prioritizes military victory over the safe return of their loved ones.

Netanyahu’s Political Future

Interestingly, even though public opinion in Israel is turning against the war—with nearly two-thirds of Israelis wanting it to end—Netanyahu’s position as prime minister is not under immediate threat.

That is because his survival depends less on public opinion and more on his ruling coalition. The far-right members of this coalition strongly support his tough line and even pushed for the strike in Doha. As long as they stand with him, Netanyahu is likely to remain in power.

A Risk That Changed the War’s Course

In the end, Netanyahu’s strike in Qatar has become a turning point. Instead of bringing him closer to victory, it has:

• Strained relations with Qatar, the main mediator.

• Angered the Arab world and drawn global criticism.

• Shaken ties with the United States.

• Put the fate of the hostages in greater danger.

• Increased opposition among the Israeli public.

Yet Netanyahu shows no sign of changing course. He continues to insist that Hamas leaders will never be safe, wherever they may hide.

But the failed operation raises deep questions: Can Israel achieve “total victory” without paying an even higher price? And will this gamble cost Netanyahu the peace deal, the hostages, and perhaps his place in history?