The Times of Israel Daily Briefing Day 708 - Haviv Rettig Gur: Did Israel 'break the rules' in Qatar strike
14 snips
Sep 13, 2025 
Haviv Rettig Gur, a senior analyst at The Times of Israel, delves into Israel's recent airstrike on Hamas leaders in Qatar. He questions whether Israel is becoming an unpredictable force to restore deterrence. The discussion highlights the complexities of military success, the implications of failing to capture key targets, and the potential impacts on Israel's diplomatic relationships. The conversation also touches on the evolving nature of U.S.-Israel relations amid regional tensions, emphasizing the challenges of negotiating with adversaries like Hamas.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
New Post-October 7 Israeli Mindset
- Israel's actions reflect a new post-October 7 mindset: no longer waiting for threats to grow before acting.
- Haviv Rettig Gur argues this is driven by exhaustion and a determination to prevent future existential attacks.
Qatar's Role Undermines Diplomatic Norms
- Qatar openly hosts and supports Hamas through funding and media influence, making it a legitimate focus for Israeli concern.
- Rettig Gur contends diplomatic norms lose force when a state enables an enemy that openly calls for Israel's destruction.
Prioritize Hostage Recovery Over Diplomatic Purity
- Use hostage negotiations as the pragmatic reason to engage with Hamas even if morally fraught.
- Rettig Gur says Israel must pursue hostages relentlessly while recognizing rules are often ignored by its enemies.