Through Qatar attack, Israel again shows disregard for allies and peace negotiations
Israel’s unprecedented airstrike on Qatar has upended regional diplomacy, prompting outrage from allies and adversaries alike. By acting unilaterally, Israel not only strained its ties with the US and Gulf nations but also disrupted key mediation efforts, jeopardising regional stability
When Israel launched its "Summit of Fire" in Doha, the capital of Qatar, on 9 September, it was a dramatic development in the Israel-Hamas conflict and in the gulf region; the move made it clear that Israel is willing to act on its own, regardless of whether it upsets its closest friends (including the US) and allies in the region.
It was the first such attack by Israel on Qatar where the US has established its largest military base Al-udied.
Qatar has been hosting Hamas leaders since 2012, and it has been a major player in brokering ceasefires and returning hostages with the US, Egypt and other regional mediators. By hitting residential buildings in Doha's diplomatic district, where Hamas officials were gathering to discuss a US-backed 60-day ceasefire plan, Israel violated Qatari sovereignty, destroying trust and signalling there would be no truce in near future.
The operation, involving over 10 fighter jets, has been described by Israel as a precise operation aimed at those responsible for the 7 October 2023 attacks, as well as a recent shooting in Jerusalem that killed six Israelis. Hamas reported five deaths, including the son of exiled leader Khalil al-Hayya, his office manager, and three aides.
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A Qatari security officer was also killed, and several civilians were injured. Hamas claimed its top leaders survived, arguing that the strike demonstrated Israel's disregard for peace and diplomatic processes.
Qatar responded strongly to the attack. Its Foreign Ministry denounced the action as "cowardly" and a violation of international law while Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani called the strike "state terrorism" and pledged legal action.
Moreover, Qatar has now suspended its mediation role which will disrupt the ongoing efforts to negotiate hostages' release and undermine confidence in the region's diplomatic mechanisms. But on the other hand, it has boosted Israel's confidence.
The US also expressed serious concern while it tried to justify Israel's previous attacks on Iran. President Donald Trump described it as very concerning and also said the strike "doesn't help either Israel or America" and added that he felt "very badly" about the location of the attack.
By acting without properly informing Washington, Israel challenged US diplomatic influence and signalled that it may prioritise tactical gains over alliance cohesion. Israel's decision to act alone raises doubts about how much influence the US really has in the region and whether old alliances can still be trusted.
International reaction was mostly negative. The UN called the strike a violation of Qatar's sovereignty, and countries like Germany, the UK, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Egypt urged dialogue instead of force. Pakistan and Japan also asked for a return to talks.
In the West, public support for Israel has been gradually falling as people focus more on the human cost of the war in Gaza. Even inside Israel, critics warn that ignoring diplomacy could leave the country isolated in the future.
Meanwhile Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz pledged to keep pursuing Hamas leaders across the globe, emphasising that those involved in the 7 October 2023 massacre will be held accountable. He underlined that Israel's security strategy leaves no hiding place for its enemies and that the military will continue to act against them wherever they are.
Strategically, Israel achieved short-term military objectives but at a significant diplomatic cost. Trust with Gulf allies and the US may further weaken, potentially slowing future ceasefire talks, endangering hostages, and prolonging the Gaza war, which has already claimed tens of thousands of Palestinian lives.
The strike is also linked to bigger global tensions. The US is already struggling with economic and strategic challenges, especially because of its tariff fight with China. Tariffs, falling exports, and China's growing power have weakened Washington's influence in the Middle East.
Israel's decision to act alone could push Gulf partners away at a time when the U.S. needs their support, making it harder to handle both the Israel-Hamas war and regional stability. At the same time, China showcased its military strength and, alongside Russia and North Korea, hosted the SCO summit where Xi, Putin, Kim Jong Un, and other leaders gathered, signalling a growing bloc that challenges US dominance.
Meanwhile, Gulf countries too are simultaneously under domestic scrutiny for their U.S. alignment. As majority of the citizens are muslim in the region, they view the US support for Israel as tacit approval of genocide in Gaza, fuelling public discontent and calls for governments to reconsider strategic partnerships. So the strike in Doha not only complicates the US-Gulf relations but also increases internal pressures on Gulf leaders to distance themselves from Washington.
Beyond immediate consequences, the strike carries long-term implications. It shows that Israel's approach may reinforce perceptions in the Arab world that Western allies, particularly the US, cannot guarantee security or influence outcomes in the region even for its good friends. For Qatar, the attack challenges its credibility as a neutral mediator, while other Gulf countries may reassess their own diplomatic strategies.
The US, meanwhile, risks diminished authority and credibility in facilitating future peace efforts, as Washington is increasingly perceived as mostly ineffective in stopping Israel's military actions and Russia-Ukraine war.
For Israel, the strike may have brought some quick military gains by targeting Hamas figures and showing strength, but these come with serious risks. It could leave Israel more isolated and aggressive, consequently creating doubts over stability in the region. The attack also sent a clear message that Israel will follow its own path, even if it goes against the wishes of its allies.
The strike also shows how far Israel is ready to go to fight Hamas. But while the military success is clear, the damage to long-term alliances and diplomacy is even greater. Qatar's withdrawal from talks, U.S. concern, and global criticism highlight the heavy political cost.
Washington and Gulf nations may now question how much they can rely on Israel. If Israel continues this approach, it could lengthen the Gaza war, deepen regional tensions, and leave itself more isolated.
