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Israel's Strike on Hamas in Qatar Sends Strategic Regional Messages

(Jerusalem Post) Maj. (res.) Raphael Benlevi - Israel's near-hit against the Hamas leadership assembled in Doha did not undo the Gulf states' interest in countering the Islamist threat represented by Hamas and supported by Qatar, nor their interest in avoiding a military confrontation with Israel. In the future, Israel's demonstration of operational capabilities may actually serve as a catalyst for deepening relations in the Arab world, since it strengthens Israel's image as a regional power with unparalleled capabilities. The strike's main achievements lie in the messages it conveyed. Israel broadcast that its precision operational capabilities extend far beyond its borders, and that it is determined to pursue its enemies wherever they may be. It also signaled a willingness to act with deception and surprise, which in practice strengthens its deterrence. In addition, an Israeli shift in its approach to Qatar is long overdue. It must recognize Qatar as the hostile state that it is, despite the current security cooperation between Qatar and the U.S. The strike demonstrated that Israel will no longer pretend that its enemies' most significant supporter can also serve as a trusted mediator. Finally, the most direct message was at Hamas: Israel will no longer allow it to stall Israel's military progress in Gaza through endless negotiations that lead nowhere. The writer is a senior fellow at the Misgav Institute for National Security and Zionist Strategy.
2025-09-25 00:00:00
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