Almost exactly a year ago, I interviewed Khalil al-Hayya, the Hamas leader and chief negotiator, in Doha. We met not far from the site targeted by Israel's airstrike on Tuesday afternoon. Al-Hayya had been pivotal in the war's negotiations, working closely with Israeli and American intermediaries via Qatari and Egyptian channels.
At the time of the attack, al-Hayya and other senior Hamas officials were discussing American diplomatic proposals aimed at a potential ceasefire and the release of Israeli hostages. Israel's rear-guard declaration fueled speculation that the recent proposals were a tactic to assemble Hamas leaders in one location for targeting.
In a previous meeting in October of last year, al-Hayya seemed confident and relaxed, indicative of Qatar's supposed safety as a diplomatic hub. But with this attack, those assumptions are now shattered, leaving the future of peace negotiations in question.
The Israeli military offensive in Gaza has intensified, with an order for civilians in Gaza City to relocate to the south, further exacerbating the humanitarian crisis.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's statements made it clear that his administration feels emboldened to pursue military actions against perceived threats without reservation, suggesting that their American support will shield them from significant consequences.
The recent assault in Doha drew a rare rebuke from the White House, highlighting Qatar's importance as an ally and host to a major U.S. military base. Yet, it appears Netanyahu is gambling that American diplomatic displeasure will not translate into meaningful action against Israeli aggression.
With impending negotiations at the UN regarding Palestinian independence, the likelihood of increased tensions and further Israeli expansion is imminent, particularly as Netanyahu's cabinet pushes for annexation actions in the West Bank.
