Israeli Strikes in Qatar: A Step Too Far

By launching an attack in Doha against the Hamas political leadership in charge of negotiating a ceasefire and the release of hostages, Israel has made a mistake that could carry serious consequences for the future of its painstakingly built relations with some of the Gulf States, as well as for American interests in the region.

The 9 September raid targeted Hamas political leadership, which had gathered to discuss a response to Donald Trump’s “ultimatum” to the group. At the time of the strike, Khalil al-Hayya and Khaled Meshaal, along with the three other members of Hamas’s leadership committee, were meeting in the former office of Ismail Haniyeh (who was killed in an Israeli raid in Tehran). The Hamas leaders narrowly escaped the bombs, which hit Khalil al-Hayya’s home rather than the nearby meeting place. Israel deployed around fifteen fighter-bombers for this operation, which ultimately failed to achieve its objectives.

What will be the political fallout of this attack?

Beyond the military aspect, it is the heavy political consequences that must be emphasised. This operation once again demonstrates that Israel disregards international law and allows itself to carry out operations on the territory of a foreign country.

Striking Qatar is a hostile act against a country that has served as the main mediator with Hamas, enabling the release of several hostages taken on 7 October and helping to establish an initial ceasefire. This raid is not the first sign of hostility towards the Gulf emirate: the deliberate and openly claimed killing of Al Jazeera journalist Anas Al-Sharif and five of his colleagues could be seen as a first episode.

This incident comes just days before the annual session of the UN General Assembly, at which the recognition of the State of Palestine is expected to be formalised by several European countries, including France. Israel will be called to account for its actions in Gaza. Benjamin Netanyahu’s expansionist policy is on the verge of isolating his country even further on the international stage.

A serious blow to American interests in the region

It is hard to imagine such an operation being carried out without at least the tacit approval of the United States. The White House has acknowledged being informed of the strike, and Donald Trump tweeted that he was “not thrilled” by it, without however condemning the operation.

This stance will leave deep marks on the United States’ relationship with the region. After the American president’s triumphant, business-driven tour of the region last May—during which he secured hundreds of billions in purchase and investment pledges from Gulf monarchs vying to be the best clients and pupils—the attack comes as a shock. Qatar even went so far as to gift Donald Trump a new presidential aircraft worth 400 million dollars.

Geopolitically, Qatar hosts one of the largest US military bases in the world. The Al Udeid base, where around ten thousand American soldiers are stationed, also serves as the operational headquarters of Central Command (CentCom) in the region. A lasting loss of trust in America’s ability to guarantee the emirate’s security would be highly damaging to the United States.

Consequences that could prove highly damaging for the United States

Other countries in the region can only watch as the United States blindly aligns itself with Benjamin Netanyahu’s reckless policies. Such policies are not new, but the 9 September 2025 attack on the territory of a US ally—with the apparent assent of the American leadership—will likely prompt these states to reconsider the future of their relationship with Washington.

The world order established after the Second World War is undergoing profound change. The show of force in Beijing on 3 September 2025, and the ability of Chinese leaders to gather allies such as Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong-un—as well as Narendra Modi, whose closeness to China is far from evident—illustrate the shifting balance of global power. The Trump administration seems intent on alienating powers which until now had been friendly. The highly publicised arrest of South Korean workers employed in Hyundai factories is hardly reassuring for even the United States’ most loyal allies regarding the longevity of its commitments.

The same applies to Middle Eastern states, which have unanimously and firmly condemned the Israeli operation. Another factor to consider is the sensitivity of the region’s monarchs, who see this action as yet another humiliation by Israel and a breach of the United States’ obligations.